For my blog followers I have been painfully absent from my keyboard since October 31st due to a self induced food coma. I have seriously been up to my ear lobes in tasty holiday treats. It all started with Halloween. I KNEW that day was evil, but oh my Lord is it ever tasty. No Tootsie Rolls, Smarties and hard candies for this mom! No sirree! It's all Butterfinger, Almond Joy, Snickers, Kit Kat and Reeses Peanut Butter Cups when you knock on our door!
And then comes Thanksgiving. Its an absolute must that I make my world famous turkey and dressing, broccoli slaw, popcorn balls, cheese ball and, of course, my hash brown casserole that lays the entire family out into a spiritual trance it is so darn good! And God has blessed me with a husband who can straight up cook as well. He makes the most incredibe magic cookie bars that never fail to send ME into a sugar euphoria. So, there you have it. Death by delicious goodness. I promise you my size eight skirts call out to me daily as I pass by my closet. They cry pitifully, "Shawnacee! Remember us? Do you remember how close we once were? Come to us! Wear us!" I don't have the heart to tell them that they are part of a love triangle between they, myself, and a cheese ball. And the cheese ball is winning by a long shot.
And so, now, here we are staring Christmas in the face. I have already begun to dig out the old family favorite recipes and I promise I got bloated just reading them. And then, of course, I drug a folding chair out to the garage and pulled down all of the Christmas decorations. Oh joy, joy, yippee yee haw. Am I a terrible person that I no longer care if all of the wise men are facing the proper direction in the nativity scene, or that the angel topping the tree is missing an eyeball and her wings are listing dangerously to the left? Am I a total scrooge if I don't give a rip whether or not the wrapping paper coordinates with the ornaments on the tree or whether or not the ornaments blend with the color and decor of my living room? Oh dear Lord I really have lost it, for most of my current ornaments came from the dollar store!! Back in the day, this lady would have NEVER stooped to that! Christmas was SACRED!! What has happened pray tell? I'll tell you what has happened........all my kiddies are grown and Christmas no longer holds that magical allure for me it once did.
Add to this the fact that I have inherited three wonderful younger stepdaughters, ages fourteen, twelve and ten. Paul and I asked the girls to write a short (we emphasized short) list of some things they would want for Christmas. I was dismayed as Noelle, our ten year old stated emphatically that she wanted a giant gummy bear. I am serious, this thing really exists. It is like nine inches tall and about four inches thick. She is determined that this is what she wants. My oldest stepdaughter's list read something like this; Laptop, strobe lights and a Lamborghini with flames............I'm not kidding. Dear Lord take me back to Barbie and Ken and their townhouse!! Oh well, times have changed I guess, as my own daughter has proclaimed that she wants..............wait for it.......... A MAN!
This mother is done! Done I tell you with fighting the sweating, frothing at the mouth masses as they fight over the latest video game or technological wonder!! Take me back to the good old days when stockings were filled with oranges, an assortment of nuts and candy canes and you felt like the king of the world if you had one gift such as a new pair of skates or a stereo. Oh well, I have completed my venting over this modern day materialistic holiday. Come Christmas eve the nativity scene will be perfect, resting delicately upon the loose hay that I will scatter beneath it. The old gals eyeball will be hot glued back into place and her wings realigned. And me, I will be all warm and cozy in my spongebob Snuggie, gazing upon my dollar store Christmas tree in awe, sipping on some hot cider and stuffing my face with cheese ball, coming up for air only to kiss my love dove. Oh yeah, Christmas still does it for me.
Below, you will find some of my treasured, family favorite holiday recipes, including that evil cheese ball! ;)
Rock Your World and Expand Your Waistline Cheese Ball!
8 ounces of cream cheese, soft
8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 Tablespoon of dry onion soup mix
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 to 3 dashes of garlic powder
chopped walnuts
Combine cream cheese and cheddar cheese with hands until blended. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the walnuts and blend well. Form into a ball and roll in walnuts, pressing the walnuts slightly into the cheese ball. Wrap in foil or saran wrap and chill. Serve with Ritz crackers and be transported to a heavenly place!
The Most Delicious Bread Pudding To Ever Grace Your Tongue!
2 cups of milk
1/4 cup of butter
1/3 cup of brown sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
1 teaspoon of vanilla
3 cups of french bread torn into pieces
1/2 cup of raisins
In a medium saucepan, heat milk over medium heat until film forms. Add butter and stir until melted. Cool to a lukewarm temperature. Blend the eggs, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla and add to the milk mixture. Place bread in a lightly greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Sprinkle with raisins and then pour batter over bread and raisins. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes. Bread pudding sauce recipe below.
Sauce
1 cup of whole milk
2 Tablespoons of butter
1/3 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 Tablespoon of flour
dash of salt
Mix all ingredients and bring to a boil for 3 to 4 minutes stirring constantly. Set aside for 5 minutes, then pour over pudding.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Recipes, Remedies and Some Really Important Stuff
As a Wal Mart sample lady I get to view the world through my sneeze guard and from beneath the bill of my bright orange cap. The orange blends quite nicely with my hair if I may say so myself. What better place than Wal Mart to get the real feel of America!! Who doesn't LOVE Wal Mart? I have always been a fan of this exciting retail heaven from the day it was introduced to my late husband and I by our dear friends Mike and Nancy Flowers.
I can recall Nancy gushing at how wonderful this mega, one stop shopping place was! And how cheap it was! I distinctly recall her saying that she and her husband would "make a day of it" on their excursions to "Wally World," seeing as how there was not one in their hometown, they had to TRAVEL to Wal Mart! Thank God Wal Mart is rather prolific in this part of the country now........whatever would we do without one??
Now don't curl up your nose in distaste all of you Target die hards! I love Target as well and go there for particular items. And yes, the clientele at Target do seem to be of a somewhat higher quality than those at Wal Mart, but the fact remains, Wal Mart prices cannot be beat!! They are "falling" you know.
I received the incredibly disturbing news last week that I will be working on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, as well as the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving!! What??!! Are you kidding me? How can this be? Pumpkin pies and various fall delicacies await me at home with a cozy fire burning in my fireplace and the comfort of my hubby's arms! Are you insane!? And Black Friday as well??!! Dear God what has become of this world. Who will battle the masses and fight their way to the front of the herd to snag the latest and greatest technological items at ungodly low prices if I am trapped behind my cart I ask you!!??
Somewhere in between the pounding of my heart, the gritting of my teeth and clenching of my fists the good Lord, (and He is so VERY good!) whacked me on the backside and grabbed me by my chin and said, very sternly, "Shawnacee! Get over it, you have a job, be thankful!"
Slightly deflated, I decided to suck it up, stop complaining and DEAL!! I then promptly went home and decided to whip up my favorite comfort food and have myself a little pity party whilst cramming my mouth full of delicious, tender, saucy morsels of scalloped potatoes.
Potatoes really are the food of the Gods! Surely the good Lord himself reached down with His mighty Hand, dipped His finger into the moist fertile earth of the garden and Supernaturally planted, THE POTATO!! I will eat them anyway you serve them up. Boiled, mashed, fried, scalloped, hashed, baked, it doesn't matter. They are delicious in any form! Please do not mar my potato fantasy by throwing in helpful facts such as how they are starchy and full of carbs which promptly convert into sugar as the potato makes it's way from the mouth to the stomach...........I KNOW AND I DON'T CARE!!
The following are two potato recipes that I have done for years that are sure to delight the taste buds of your man and your little chicklets! ;)
SCALLOPED POTATOES
4 medium potatoes peeled and sliced
salt
pepper
1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
Layer potatoes in a baking dish (lightly spray dish with PAM) and salt and pepper to your desire. Blend whipping cream and chicken broth together and pour over potatoes. Bake at 375 degrees uncovered for 50-55 minutes or until potatoes are tender and a little golden brown.
POTATOES AND ONIONS
6 to 8 peeled and sliced potatoes
One onion sliced into rings
salt and pepper
one cube of butter thinly sliced
Peel and slice your potatoes and lay in a lightly PAM sprayed 9x13 dish. Place the entire onion sliced into rings over the potatoes. Salt and pepper to the desired amount. Evenly spread our the slices of butter onto potatoes. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 45 minutes at 375 degrees. When potatoes and onions are tender, remove foil and place under the broiler until nicely browned.
CAN ANYONE SAY DELISH!!?? Well, swallow first because that's rude and THEN say it!
So, while I sat on my couch and pondered my plight of having to work over the holidays I took a second look at the lovely leather recliner that I inherited upon my marriage and gasped to see that it was in sore need of a cleaning. It was downright "icka-butt-nasty" as Paul so eloquently puts it. But however do I clean a leather piece of furniture properly without causing damage? I promptly inquired of the Internet!! I did a Google search and discovered that I could clean my chair with a soft cloth and some baby shampoo and then rinse with warm, clean water! And "voila!" it looks brand new!
I was pleased as punch as I sat in my comfy, clean recliner shoveling the "heavenly root" all scalloped up and everything into my mouth. I am smiling now. ;)
I can recall Nancy gushing at how wonderful this mega, one stop shopping place was! And how cheap it was! I distinctly recall her saying that she and her husband would "make a day of it" on their excursions to "Wally World," seeing as how there was not one in their hometown, they had to TRAVEL to Wal Mart! Thank God Wal Mart is rather prolific in this part of the country now........whatever would we do without one??
Now don't curl up your nose in distaste all of you Target die hards! I love Target as well and go there for particular items. And yes, the clientele at Target do seem to be of a somewhat higher quality than those at Wal Mart, but the fact remains, Wal Mart prices cannot be beat!! They are "falling" you know.
I received the incredibly disturbing news last week that I will be working on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, as well as the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving!! What??!! Are you kidding me? How can this be? Pumpkin pies and various fall delicacies await me at home with a cozy fire burning in my fireplace and the comfort of my hubby's arms! Are you insane!? And Black Friday as well??!! Dear God what has become of this world. Who will battle the masses and fight their way to the front of the herd to snag the latest and greatest technological items at ungodly low prices if I am trapped behind my cart I ask you!!??
Somewhere in between the pounding of my heart, the gritting of my teeth and clenching of my fists the good Lord, (and He is so VERY good!) whacked me on the backside and grabbed me by my chin and said, very sternly, "Shawnacee! Get over it, you have a job, be thankful!"
Slightly deflated, I decided to suck it up, stop complaining and DEAL!! I then promptly went home and decided to whip up my favorite comfort food and have myself a little pity party whilst cramming my mouth full of delicious, tender, saucy morsels of scalloped potatoes.
Potatoes really are the food of the Gods! Surely the good Lord himself reached down with His mighty Hand, dipped His finger into the moist fertile earth of the garden and Supernaturally planted, THE POTATO!! I will eat them anyway you serve them up. Boiled, mashed, fried, scalloped, hashed, baked, it doesn't matter. They are delicious in any form! Please do not mar my potato fantasy by throwing in helpful facts such as how they are starchy and full of carbs which promptly convert into sugar as the potato makes it's way from the mouth to the stomach...........I KNOW AND I DON'T CARE!!
The following are two potato recipes that I have done for years that are sure to delight the taste buds of your man and your little chicklets! ;)
SCALLOPED POTATOES
4 medium potatoes peeled and sliced
salt
pepper
1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
Layer potatoes in a baking dish (lightly spray dish with PAM) and salt and pepper to your desire. Blend whipping cream and chicken broth together and pour over potatoes. Bake at 375 degrees uncovered for 50-55 minutes or until potatoes are tender and a little golden brown.
POTATOES AND ONIONS
6 to 8 peeled and sliced potatoes
One onion sliced into rings
salt and pepper
one cube of butter thinly sliced
Peel and slice your potatoes and lay in a lightly PAM sprayed 9x13 dish. Place the entire onion sliced into rings over the potatoes. Salt and pepper to the desired amount. Evenly spread our the slices of butter onto potatoes. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 45 minutes at 375 degrees. When potatoes and onions are tender, remove foil and place under the broiler until nicely browned.
CAN ANYONE SAY DELISH!!?? Well, swallow first because that's rude and THEN say it!
So, while I sat on my couch and pondered my plight of having to work over the holidays I took a second look at the lovely leather recliner that I inherited upon my marriage and gasped to see that it was in sore need of a cleaning. It was downright "icka-butt-nasty" as Paul so eloquently puts it. But however do I clean a leather piece of furniture properly without causing damage? I promptly inquired of the Internet!! I did a Google search and discovered that I could clean my chair with a soft cloth and some baby shampoo and then rinse with warm, clean water! And "voila!" it looks brand new!
I was pleased as punch as I sat in my comfy, clean recliner shoveling the "heavenly root" all scalloped up and everything into my mouth. I am smiling now. ;)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Menopause and The Produce Department
I think I am pre menopausal. No, let me rephrase that. I KNOW that I am pre menopausal. If the fact that I fantasize about strangling my unsuspecting family as they lie sleeping in their beds is any clue, then yes, I am pre menopausal. Shoot, maybe I am not "pre" at all, perhaps it is FULL BLOWN menopause. Take into consideration the fact that I wake up all through the night absolutely soaked in sweat, alternating between freezing and boiling internally.
And then, there is that horrible little flaw of mine. The one that wants to chase certain Wal Mart shoppers down with an oversized zucchini and beat some common sense into them. Lord have mercy. I can't tell you how many times in one day I WISH that some annoying customer would find themselves standing directly UNDER one of Wal Mart's "falling prices."
Such was the case yesterday as I sampled my wares. I am standing there, hoping that someone will take an interest in the Smoky Barbecue Wheat Thins that I am hawking when a loud voice bellows, "Make way! Speed Racer's coming!" Startled, I look up to see the man who had made the announcement. He stood there in the center of the aisle, his large silver belt buckle cutting into the beer gut that hung over his Levi's. He wore a dirty white t-shirt and a baseball cap sat atop his head.
About that time, rounding the corner, "Speed Racer" came into view. This fella wasn't a whole lot better off than his announcer. He was in one of those motorized scooter thingies. And, from the looks of it, had no valid reason for operating one in the fist place!
He rolls up to my cart and says, "So what do you have here?" I promptly recite to him the scripted pitch as he reaches under the sneeze guard to retrieve some Wheat Thins. It is then that I hear his friend, who had previously heralded his arrival yell out, yet again, "Aaahhh, leave that alone! You can't even chew..........you aint got no teeth!" With that, "Speed Racer" put it in high gear and split.
Oh dear Lord!! Surely you have landed me in this place for some reason other than earning Sam Walton an extra buck. Perhaps it is patience and long suffering that God is intending to teach me.
My patience was put to the test once again later in the day when I hear a very large man barking orders to his tiny, frail grandmother. I glared at him, he didn't see me, too intent was he upon getting granny to do his bidding. Later, I return to my cart to find Grandma loitering there. She explains to me that her grandson does not want her wandering around the store while he shops because he does not want her to buy anything. Astounded, I am prepared to tell her just what I think of her brutish grandson's treatment of her, when, down the aisle, howling at the top of his lungs calling for gram's, lumbers said bully. Grandma scampers off after him as I shoot him a look that would wilt lettuce.
All I could think about was the fact that if that were ME treating MY mother or grandmother in that manner, I would find myself traveling from the produce department to the electronics department at the speed of light.........with a tatoo of my mother's handprint on the side of my face for dramatic affect.
Sheesh!! What is this world coming to? I see a lot from my little Wal Mart cart, some of which I would rather not ever have to see, but then again, there are scenes that warm the heart. For instance, the elderly couple walking,still holding hands, in love after all these years. Or the young mother, talking to her baby sitting in the seat of the cart as she shops, the dad shopping alone with all of his kids as they run around sucking on suckers he has purchased to keep them quiet and compliant. And then there is the family that comes in every week with their down syndrome son, his hair neatly combed, parted on the side, all spit polished and neat as a pin, and he, with that ever present smile...........
You see, there ARE positive things besides the lowest prices of any retail market to be found at Wal Mart.
So,today, I prepare to set up my cart of "bright ideas" yet once again. And if you dare backtalk your little grandma, I be comin' after you with a large vegetable. =)
And then, there is that horrible little flaw of mine. The one that wants to chase certain Wal Mart shoppers down with an oversized zucchini and beat some common sense into them. Lord have mercy. I can't tell you how many times in one day I WISH that some annoying customer would find themselves standing directly UNDER one of Wal Mart's "falling prices."
Such was the case yesterday as I sampled my wares. I am standing there, hoping that someone will take an interest in the Smoky Barbecue Wheat Thins that I am hawking when a loud voice bellows, "Make way! Speed Racer's coming!" Startled, I look up to see the man who had made the announcement. He stood there in the center of the aisle, his large silver belt buckle cutting into the beer gut that hung over his Levi's. He wore a dirty white t-shirt and a baseball cap sat atop his head.
About that time, rounding the corner, "Speed Racer" came into view. This fella wasn't a whole lot better off than his announcer. He was in one of those motorized scooter thingies. And, from the looks of it, had no valid reason for operating one in the fist place!
He rolls up to my cart and says, "So what do you have here?" I promptly recite to him the scripted pitch as he reaches under the sneeze guard to retrieve some Wheat Thins. It is then that I hear his friend, who had previously heralded his arrival yell out, yet again, "Aaahhh, leave that alone! You can't even chew..........you aint got no teeth!" With that, "Speed Racer" put it in high gear and split.
Oh dear Lord!! Surely you have landed me in this place for some reason other than earning Sam Walton an extra buck. Perhaps it is patience and long suffering that God is intending to teach me.
My patience was put to the test once again later in the day when I hear a very large man barking orders to his tiny, frail grandmother. I glared at him, he didn't see me, too intent was he upon getting granny to do his bidding. Later, I return to my cart to find Grandma loitering there. She explains to me that her grandson does not want her wandering around the store while he shops because he does not want her to buy anything. Astounded, I am prepared to tell her just what I think of her brutish grandson's treatment of her, when, down the aisle, howling at the top of his lungs calling for gram's, lumbers said bully. Grandma scampers off after him as I shoot him a look that would wilt lettuce.
All I could think about was the fact that if that were ME treating MY mother or grandmother in that manner, I would find myself traveling from the produce department to the electronics department at the speed of light.........with a tatoo of my mother's handprint on the side of my face for dramatic affect.
Sheesh!! What is this world coming to? I see a lot from my little Wal Mart cart, some of which I would rather not ever have to see, but then again, there are scenes that warm the heart. For instance, the elderly couple walking,still holding hands, in love after all these years. Or the young mother, talking to her baby sitting in the seat of the cart as she shops, the dad shopping alone with all of his kids as they run around sucking on suckers he has purchased to keep them quiet and compliant. And then there is the family that comes in every week with their down syndrome son, his hair neatly combed, parted on the side, all spit polished and neat as a pin, and he, with that ever present smile...........
You see, there ARE positive things besides the lowest prices of any retail market to be found at Wal Mart.
So,today, I prepare to set up my cart of "bright ideas" yet once again. And if you dare backtalk your little grandma, I be comin' after you with a large vegetable. =)
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Quick Cook Pasta? Who'da a Thunk It?
I had a wonderfully busy time today at your friendly, one stop shopping place, WAL MART! I was rustling up some really good grub that I intend to share with all of my readers. I can't say that I received any new and amazing revelations, or that I observed anything that would cause you to fall out of your chair laughing, but I do have some things to share with you!
For starters, I would like to share with you the recipe that I referred to in my last blog, remember, the one with the rice and the VEGGIES that grown, muscle bound men refused to eat? Well, it was delicious and housewives everywhere are going to thank me for the recipe! So, here goes!
Mexican Rice With Bouillon (don't know why they call it "mexican", doesn't seem mexican to me, but what do I know?)
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 1/2 cups of Instant or Raw Rice
3 Cups of Water
1 Tbsp. Chicken Bouillon Granules
1 1/2 Cup Frozen Peas and Carrots
Heat olive oil in a large sauce pot over heat and cook rice about 2 minutes or until a golden brown, stirring often. Add water and bouillon and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered about 20 minutes or until rice is tender (if you are using instant rice, the cooking time will be shorter) Add frozen vegetables during the last 5 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork and you are all done!
If you are feeling especially "international," scramble up some eggs and toss with the rice. Throw in some diced ham and a little soy sauce, and, VOILA! You be gettin' yo' chinese on!!
Yesterday, I cooked up some "Tomato Basil Meatball Rotini." One fella came by and asked what I was serving. I very plainly and distinctly told him "pasta with MEATballs." He eyed it, pointed at it and asked, "Does it have meat?" I just looked at him, toothpick in hand and picked out one of the MEATballs and held it up in front of his face. What does one do in a case like this? Sheesh! The recipe for this heavenly dish is as follows.
Tomato Basil MEATBALL Rotini
1/2 bag, approximately 32 frozen, italian style meatballs
2 Cups of Quick Cook Penne Pasta (yes, I said quick cook! It cooks in like 3 minutes! Every woman's dream!)
1 Cup of any brand Spaghetti Sauce
1 Cup of Water
2 Cups of Pictsweet Seasoning Blend (you can find this in the frozen vegetables section)
1 Container of Philadelphia Cooking Cream, Tomato Basil (this will be by the cream cheese)
Preheat an electric skillet to 350 degrees. Add the meatballs, the pasta, spaghetti sauce and water. Top with the 2 cups of frozen seasoning blend and cover. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring at least every 5 minutes. Add the whole container of the Philadelphia Cooking Cream and stir. Reduce temperature to 200 degrees and let simmer, stirring continuously. When heated through, SERVE! It is very easy and very delicious! Enjoy!
I also served up some warm french bread with a dipping sauce. The sauce consisted of 3 Tbsp. of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and 1 Tbsp. of McCormick Perfect Pinch Seasonings. There are a variety of flavors to choose from. Just blend, and get to dipping warm slices of french bread into this luscious seasoned olive oil! Yum! And it goes great with the meatball rotini.
Well, I should probably go down and help the hubby as he slaves over the garage sale we are attempting to execute. And then, it's off to work for me where I will be gathering tidbits of advice, recipes, and hopefully some hilarious Wal Mart stories to share with you later. As Tigger The Tiger so eloquently put it, "Ta Ta for now! Cept my tails not too springy anymore....... =)
For starters, I would like to share with you the recipe that I referred to in my last blog, remember, the one with the rice and the VEGGIES that grown, muscle bound men refused to eat? Well, it was delicious and housewives everywhere are going to thank me for the recipe! So, here goes!
Mexican Rice With Bouillon (don't know why they call it "mexican", doesn't seem mexican to me, but what do I know?)
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 1/2 cups of Instant or Raw Rice
3 Cups of Water
1 Tbsp. Chicken Bouillon Granules
1 1/2 Cup Frozen Peas and Carrots
Heat olive oil in a large sauce pot over heat and cook rice about 2 minutes or until a golden brown, stirring often. Add water and bouillon and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered about 20 minutes or until rice is tender (if you are using instant rice, the cooking time will be shorter) Add frozen vegetables during the last 5 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork and you are all done!
If you are feeling especially "international," scramble up some eggs and toss with the rice. Throw in some diced ham and a little soy sauce, and, VOILA! You be gettin' yo' chinese on!!
Yesterday, I cooked up some "Tomato Basil Meatball Rotini." One fella came by and asked what I was serving. I very plainly and distinctly told him "pasta with MEATballs." He eyed it, pointed at it and asked, "Does it have meat?" I just looked at him, toothpick in hand and picked out one of the MEATballs and held it up in front of his face. What does one do in a case like this? Sheesh! The recipe for this heavenly dish is as follows.
Tomato Basil MEATBALL Rotini
1/2 bag, approximately 32 frozen, italian style meatballs
2 Cups of Quick Cook Penne Pasta (yes, I said quick cook! It cooks in like 3 minutes! Every woman's dream!)
1 Cup of any brand Spaghetti Sauce
1 Cup of Water
2 Cups of Pictsweet Seasoning Blend (you can find this in the frozen vegetables section)
1 Container of Philadelphia Cooking Cream, Tomato Basil (this will be by the cream cheese)
Preheat an electric skillet to 350 degrees. Add the meatballs, the pasta, spaghetti sauce and water. Top with the 2 cups of frozen seasoning blend and cover. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring at least every 5 minutes. Add the whole container of the Philadelphia Cooking Cream and stir. Reduce temperature to 200 degrees and let simmer, stirring continuously. When heated through, SERVE! It is very easy and very delicious! Enjoy!
I also served up some warm french bread with a dipping sauce. The sauce consisted of 3 Tbsp. of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and 1 Tbsp. of McCormick Perfect Pinch Seasonings. There are a variety of flavors to choose from. Just blend, and get to dipping warm slices of french bread into this luscious seasoned olive oil! Yum! And it goes great with the meatball rotini.
Well, I should probably go down and help the hubby as he slaves over the garage sale we are attempting to execute. And then, it's off to work for me where I will be gathering tidbits of advice, recipes, and hopefully some hilarious Wal Mart stories to share with you later. As Tigger The Tiger so eloquently put it, "Ta Ta for now! Cept my tails not too springy anymore....... =)
Friday, September 23, 2011
Eat Your Veggies!
As I am setting up my cart at work today I observe something that I had yet to really ponder. It is this fact. The produce and meat department are directly in front of me. The bakery and deli which serves up such delicacies as corn dogs, pizza and chicken nuggets, are behind me. The bakery tantalizes the observer with garlic, cheese and cinnamon breads, cakes, pies and cookies as well as your typical, deliciously processed snacks such as Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Ho Ho's! Which explains why me "back" is so much larger than my "front"......I 'm sorry, I digress. Have you ever pondered the names of those luscious bites of heaven on your tongue? They say you are what you eat, but come on, do we really want to be called a "Twinkie or a Ding Dong? And my hubby just might rearrange your face if I were ever referred to as a "Ho Ho!"
I giggle as I ponder this. Directly in front of me are the fresh meats along with ripe, juicy tomatoes and a large variety of other fruits and vegetables as well as prepackaged salads and snack packs with baby carrots and celery for dipping. Directly behind the produce department is the vitamin aisle. This whole area is dedicated to HEALTH! It is then that I turn to see what other departments hug the bakery directly behind me. It was the floral department! Right there by the exit. Why would there be flowers right alongside the bakery and the deli I ponder? I came to this sad conclusion............IT"S BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA DIE SOON IF YOU EAT ALL THAT JUNK!! Sam Walton was nothing if not a genius of a Marketer!
Wal Mart is a well oiled machine. I watch daily as the masses march through as mindless ants, filling their carts with a lot of things they really don't need. And, as ants are, they are on a hunt for sugar! Hey, I'm not knocking it, I do it all the time! I am a Wal Mart junkie and shoot, I am the QUEEN ant.
The people of Wal Mart are very curious creatures indeed. I am unsure as to why this place attracts people similar to those you would find in a traveling circus......it just does.
There was the one lady who was not interested in my dentastix (a snack that dogs chew to clean their teeth), but was rather more interested in explaining, in great detail, her entire Irish lineage dating back to the 1700's. Or the old fella who stood for at least twenty minutes and talked, without so much as taking a breath about Government conspiracies. I have no clue what that had to do with yogurt, but it broke up the monotony of the day.
Today, I am pushing (don't freak out, I'm only pushing veggies) a delicious side dish of rice, peas and carrots. Quite delicious if I may say so myself. A big nice looking muscular young man approached my cart to snoop out whatever it was that I was dealing. When he saw the little green and orange of the nice, healthy veggies peeking from a bed of rice, he turned his nose up in disgust and walked on by. As he passed, I read the back of his t-shirt. It said, Body Building.com.
I wanted to scream at him, "Dude! You need to eat your veggies!" But I was too late, he was already headed for the chips.
So, the moral of my story is..........EAT YOUR VEGGIES!! I do not want to be buying any flowers for you anytime soon...........unless it's just because you are so sweet of course. =)
I giggle as I ponder this. Directly in front of me are the fresh meats along with ripe, juicy tomatoes and a large variety of other fruits and vegetables as well as prepackaged salads and snack packs with baby carrots and celery for dipping. Directly behind the produce department is the vitamin aisle. This whole area is dedicated to HEALTH! It is then that I turn to see what other departments hug the bakery directly behind me. It was the floral department! Right there by the exit. Why would there be flowers right alongside the bakery and the deli I ponder? I came to this sad conclusion............IT"S BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA DIE SOON IF YOU EAT ALL THAT JUNK!! Sam Walton was nothing if not a genius of a Marketer!
Wal Mart is a well oiled machine. I watch daily as the masses march through as mindless ants, filling their carts with a lot of things they really don't need. And, as ants are, they are on a hunt for sugar! Hey, I'm not knocking it, I do it all the time! I am a Wal Mart junkie and shoot, I am the QUEEN ant.
The people of Wal Mart are very curious creatures indeed. I am unsure as to why this place attracts people similar to those you would find in a traveling circus......it just does.
There was the one lady who was not interested in my dentastix (a snack that dogs chew to clean their teeth), but was rather more interested in explaining, in great detail, her entire Irish lineage dating back to the 1700's. Or the old fella who stood for at least twenty minutes and talked, without so much as taking a breath about Government conspiracies. I have no clue what that had to do with yogurt, but it broke up the monotony of the day.
Today, I am pushing (don't freak out, I'm only pushing veggies) a delicious side dish of rice, peas and carrots. Quite delicious if I may say so myself. A big nice looking muscular young man approached my cart to snoop out whatever it was that I was dealing. When he saw the little green and orange of the nice, healthy veggies peeking from a bed of rice, he turned his nose up in disgust and walked on by. As he passed, I read the back of his t-shirt. It said, Body Building.com.
I wanted to scream at him, "Dude! You need to eat your veggies!" But I was too late, he was already headed for the chips.
So, the moral of my story is..........EAT YOUR VEGGIES!! I do not want to be buying any flowers for you anytime soon...........unless it's just because you are so sweet of course. =)
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Attention Wal Mart Shoppers!
Today, I don my white button down shirt, black skirt, black flats with black socks, orange apron, orange ball cap and name tag with my name clearly printed on it in black permanent marker. I am a simple woman, pleased by the simple things in life. I am driven, I have a purpose. What is that purpose you ask? To wow the general public with hair and skin products, pet supplies and the latest foods and snacks.
The view thru the sneeze guard of my sample cart can be quite interesting and downright hilarious at times as I observe the behaviors and antics of your everyday, normal Americans. Well, "normal" may be a stretch for some among us, but, you get my drift.
I also have a LOT, yes, a LOT of time to ponder the finer points of life, especially when marketing something that most people couldn't give a flip about, such as cat litter, dental floss or some weird, newfangled energy drink. During these special moments God and I talk. In my mind of course, I wouldn't want my fellow employees to think I am as loony as most of the Wal Mart shoppers I encounter on a daily basis. During our discussions I find myself enlightened as revelations of life and of those who live it right along beside me are revealed.
At times my observations are very sad, sobering, curious, or, at times, downright hilarious. I will often grab my pen and pad from my handy dandy apron pocket and jot down my thoughts.
The sign above my cart reads, "Bright Ideas." I hope to share some of those ideas with you in the following blogs. I pray that they are ideas and concepts that make you laugh until you snort, cry until your nose runs or think until your brain hurts. Regardless, I want them to impact your life in some way. This job HAS to be good for SOMETHING, right?
"Attention Wal Mart shoppers, listen to the sample lady!"
The view thru the sneeze guard of my sample cart can be quite interesting and downright hilarious at times as I observe the behaviors and antics of your everyday, normal Americans. Well, "normal" may be a stretch for some among us, but, you get my drift.
I also have a LOT, yes, a LOT of time to ponder the finer points of life, especially when marketing something that most people couldn't give a flip about, such as cat litter, dental floss or some weird, newfangled energy drink. During these special moments God and I talk. In my mind of course, I wouldn't want my fellow employees to think I am as loony as most of the Wal Mart shoppers I encounter on a daily basis. During our discussions I find myself enlightened as revelations of life and of those who live it right along beside me are revealed.
At times my observations are very sad, sobering, curious, or, at times, downright hilarious. I will often grab my pen and pad from my handy dandy apron pocket and jot down my thoughts.
The sign above my cart reads, "Bright Ideas." I hope to share some of those ideas with you in the following blogs. I pray that they are ideas and concepts that make you laugh until you snort, cry until your nose runs or think until your brain hurts. Regardless, I want them to impact your life in some way. This job HAS to be good for SOMETHING, right?
"Attention Wal Mart shoppers, listen to the sample lady!"
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