I'm Dirt Cheap..and Love it

Hello Gardening friends

Pots & Wildflowers...that is what I decided to go with this year.  My husband & I at the moment live where there is no room for a nice big garden..so pots have become a favorite of mine.

I  decided to grow a Salsa Garden in a pot, using tomatoes, onions, cilantro, peppers.

I also wanted lots of color to surround my patio...so these are my starts in the picture a variety of beautiful flowers..Daisies, Sunflowers, and a mixture of Wild Flowers.  

This is just the beginning for me....I have so many other great plants I will start.

So I have a question for you

What are you growing this year?

What is your favorite Herb?

What tips and Ideas do you have for growing a mini garden?

I would love to pass on any tips you have.

Happy Gardening my friends!!  Love Susan

My tip is using wet news paper that I wrapped around a bottle and folded the bottom, added some good dirt and planted my seeds..what I like about this idea is..its cheap.

HOMEMADE DRYER SHEETS

Good Morning... I hope you had a fabulous weekend

I thought I would share with you another weekend project.

Homemade Dryer Sheets

I very seldom buy dryer sheets because I have always thought they were just a waste of money. Sometimes I would buy some fabric softener, but not very often. 

But then I came across this idea and thought I would give a try.

What do you think about never spending money on dryer sheets....saving about $60 to $70 a year on those scented expensive sheets.

How about making your own and using them forever....sounds prettty great to me.

                                                                                      

So I started with some flannel material I had...I wanted the fabric strips to be easy to see in the dryer.

Then I cut my fabric into strips that were long enough to fit into a diaper wipe box and sewed them up.

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/Natural-Laundry-Detergent

The liquid softener I am using is Seventh Generation Fabric Softener.   This product has become a favorite in my home when it comes to cleaning.  I love it!!

                                                                     

Seventh Generation is environmentally safe, non-toxic and very safe to use in your home.

First step is.. 

Pouring some of the fabric softener into the baby wipe container...place your flannel strips into the box and let soak for 10 minutes

Second step is..

Take them out and hang them to dry in your laundry room.   These are official dryer sheets homemade

Third step is

When your ready to dry your clothes just stick them into the dryer.   The nice thing about this idea is you can use that same cloth many times without soaking it.   After a few times through the dryer then stick them back into the softener and let soak..just repeat the steps over.

If you have any great home remedies or a great tip...PLEASE share with us.  I would love to go green even more, so lets here your ideas.   

Enjoy Susan

                                                           

BLACKBERRY BARS

Good Friday Morning to you


I know this probably looks like a summer recipe..yes...but why not bake something so yummy on a  rainy spring day.
In Oregon you have to just go with the weather...I cooked Chicken on the BBQ in the rain last night. It was fun.  

My husband says to me the other day...you have lots of frozen blackberries in the freezer, you better start using them up so we can make room for the new batch that we will pick this summer..  So, it got me thinking about recipes...Blackberry Gobbler...sounds good or Blackberry Pie...sounds good...I know,  Blackberry Pie Bars sounds even better.


So here you go....a yummy berry blast of flavor recipe just for my great fans, followers, and friends.

                                                                                     
RECIPE
Adapted from the Pastry Queen


Crust and Topping
3C        Flour
1 1/2 C sugar
1/4 t       salt
3 sticks unsalted butter
zest of 2 lemons


Blackberry filling
4 large eggs
1 C sour cream
2 C sugar
3/4 C flour
pinch of salt
2 bags or 16 oz of frozen blackberries  defrosted and drained


To make the crust
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x13 pan with cooking spray or butter, set aside.  Zest 2 lemons.
Combine lemon, sugar, flour, salt and butter in a electric mixer fit with a paddle attachment. Beat the ingredients on medium speed until it looks dry and crumbly.

Reserve 1 1/2 C of the crust to use for the topping.  Place the remaining mixture into the bottom pan.  Bake the crust for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cool for 10 minutes while your making your filling.
To make the filling


Whisk the eggs in a large bowl.  Add the sugar, sour cream, flour, and salt.  Gently fold in blackberries. Spoon the mixture evenly over the crust.  


Sprinkle the reserve crust mixture evenly over the filling.   Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until golden brown on top.  Let set for 10 minutes.  Cut into squares and serve with Whipping Cream or Homemade Ice Cream.


I think this recipe would be good for many events..a Brunch,  A Shower, Easter Dinner, Potluck, or any day of the week.


I wish you all a great spring weather weekend.  Cheers!!   Susan

Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

Hello girls...I hope your enjoying  your day.  My day started off great. My wonderful husband cooked us a tasty breakfast and we spent some good time talking.

My gears are turning in my head today.   I want to enter a recipe in the CookingChannel Contest. I want to be one of three finalist, so this morning I started making a cookie recipe that comes straight from me...I am thinking a Banana Kashi Crunch Cookie.  It sounds good to me.  

I will keep you posted!!!!

So these are the breakfast cookies I was talking about..... Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Cookie

I think coming into spring we all start watching what we eat. We want to be able to fit into our shorts and 

bathing suits...we want to feel good about the way we look.....well it least I do.   These are healthy and full of fiber.

So to start these cookies I had to get my faithful Montgomery Wards Food Dryer out from the garage.   I cut my apples and soaked them in lemon water before placing them on the rack.  I also bought a bunch of Banana's at the store and cut them into thin slices.                                                      

                                                                                   

We bought this dryer about 10 years ago at a garage sale and use it every year.  We dry everything!!!  

My favorite way to eat these delicious bits is to dry them first and then stick them into a freezer zip-lock bag and then into the freezer.  In the summer you can take them out and have something crunchy and healthy to snack on. Our kids loved snacking on them in the car.  

So tomorrow after these dry and will be ready to assemble on my cookie.... I promise I will share:)

                                                                   

How To Make Vanilla Extract

Ok...it's time to visit the Liqueur store.  We are going to make Homemade Vanilla Extract.

You are probably asking me why make your own....well if you have ever purchased a tiny bottle of the stuff you know you can spend at least ten dollars or more for some good grade vanilla extract.

Well why not make your own....all you need is a handful of things to get you going.

First lets start with the Vanilla Bean.  I wanted to use the darkest full of flavor beans...I found out that Madagascar will you give you the best results for that.  I found the brand I wanted at Whole Foods. 

You have two choices, buy them individually or 2 to a package.  Also to go along with the recipe you will need a good bottle of Vodka or Rum....80 proof.   I used Vodka.

The ratio is 3 vanilla beans to a cup of Vodka.  You can measure out how much you want for yourself.

So lets get started!!!!

I am sure you have a mason jar up in your cupboard. Then collect your vanilla beans, vodka or rum.  

Yes...it is that easy.   

Start with taking your vanilla beans and using a very sharp knife, cut down the center of the beans leaving about 1/2 inch section at the top uncut.   Stick your vanilla beans in the jar and fill with your liqueur. 

 Close the lid, and make sure it is on tight.   Find a dark place in your kitchen and store it up to 2 months.   

Every now and then you will want to shake the bottle up.   I thought I would share day 3 with you...as you can see it already started to turn a light color just after a few days.   Just think what it will look like after your 2 months.

If you find Tahitian Beans..there flavor is like a vanilla-fig or fruity flavor.It's your extract so use what you want;

 Can I say I am very excited about making  my own Vanilla Extract.  I hope this inspires you to try making your own...just think what your friends will think:)  

When I finish the process if you would like a sample I would love to give you a bottle.

If you have been creative in the kitchen or have a tip please share with us.  I would love to hear from you.

Enjoy Susan

                                                                                            

                 

                                                                          

                                                                            

                           

 Summer Fun.....

Get ready for some summer fun

                                                                 doesn't that look good

Oh I want one of these for summer

Yes...this summer I will  be drying my clothes on a line. Since our dryers are the second highest costly appliance...I think its ok to hang our underwear outside.

                                  Flip flop fun!! 

                                                                 Summer Rocks!!!

                                                 

                                                Life is better at the BEACH I think                                                                               

 Good Thursday morning to you....Happy St. Patrick's Day.

I want to apologize for not sharing a recipe with you today. Last night once again...I was rushed off by my husband to the emergency room to pass another kidney stone.  I am  feeling good this morning but thought I would  restructure my day.

I decided t to relax and make it a lazy day.

I found myself this morning wanting some signs of  spring or summer ...wishing the weather guy was going to announce  some Arizona summer temperatures.

I know wishful thinking....so here are some pictures of hope for the summer..

                                                                 So heres to

                            Shorts, Sandles, Sunglasses, Warmth, Tunes on Tuesday,

                Saturday Markets, Picnics, Trips to the Beach, and some fun summer recipes.

                                                                  Cheers Susan






                                               

Recipe...Banana Cookies

Today is a joyous for me...why??  My son has come home for a couple of days to visit.  I am so happy!!! 

I love spending time with him....whether it watching a Basketball game or just talking, we always have fun. 

I woke up this morning and wanted to make something special.

Warm Banana Cookies sounded perfect with a cup of coffee, it like eating Banana Bread...yum

The cookies are a little cakey. There soft and spicy....so delicious.  It really is like eating a slice of Banana Bread.  Makes for a nice breakfast cookie.

Recipe

1/2 C butter  room temperature

3/4 C Sugar

2 eggs

1t vanilla

2 C Wheat Flour

1/2 T pumpkin spice

1 t baking powder

1/4 t baking soda

pinch of salt

3 bananas, mashed

1/2 C chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.

Whisk flour, spices, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a med. bowl to combine. Set aside.

Using a mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs in one at a time, scraping down sides.  Add vanilla and mix to combine. Add mashed banana's and mix.

Fold dry ingredients into banana mixture to combine. Fold in nuts.

Scoop 2 T full of cookie batter onto cookie sheet. About 1 inch apart. Bake for 8 minutes. Be careful to not over bake.   Cool completely and drizzle with Buttermilk glaze.

Buttermilk Glaze

1 C powdered sugar

2 t buttermilk

Whisk together in a bowl. 

You don't have to add the glaze to make the cookies taste good. They are good all by themselves!!!!

Enjoy  Susan

                                                                              

                           THANK YOU!


                              THANK YOU!


                                         THANK  YOU!


                                                         THANK YOU!

                                                                                      THANK YOU!

 Good morning Girls

I wanted to say Thank you for being a faithful follower of Cook Happy. I appreciate each and everyone of you. I have had a blast starting this blog. I am learning so much about myself. I am learning it's ok to have dreams and goals and purpose. I see my strengths and weaknesses and how to grow through them. I am so  THANKFUL for all God has given me.I want to continue learning to be open to new possibilities, new adventures, new failures and new successes. If you don't know I need you all in this journey of my life.

One of my favorite books is by John Maxwell.....25 Ways To Win With People. It teaches how to make others feel like a million bucks.  I feel so strong about being an encourager to you....lets speak out more, encourage one another when we start to doubt our dreams. There's no telling what might happen if you were to begin encouraging the dreams of the people around you. I say NEVER give up!!I am hoping to feature more friends and family and some of your recipes.  Please continue to join this 2011 year of great new recipes from me to you.I appreciate you taking the time to visit today. I am extremely blessed  to have a great group of girls.  I would LOVE for you to share your thoughts/comments.    Love Susan

                                                   " My potential is God's gift to me

                                          What I do with my potential is my gift to him"

                                           Continue when discouraged, for where there

                                  is no faith in the future, there is no power in the presence.

                                       When you visions get bigger than you, you really 
                                    only have two choices, give up the vision, or get help
                                   
                                  
                                  

Spring into Organization

                                                                    SalmonEggs Benedict

                                                                    Stuffed French Toast

                                                                    Bacon Potato Frittata

                                                                    Apple Dutch Baby

                                                                    Open Faced Fried Egg

                                                                    Rosemary Fried Potato's 

                                                                    Fresh Blueberry Pancakes

                                                                    Fully-Loaded Cheese Burrito

                                                                    

Sound good??

It all started at the B&B...I was to come up with a new recipes for breakfast for each month.  I had to come up with a wide variety of great BREAKFAST recipes to serve to our guest.

They must ONE taste delicious...TWO look appealing.

I was on a mission to find the best recipes in the world.  Garage Sales came to mind....maybe there I could find some unusual cookbooks with great tasting recipes.

I didn't have to look far..... I found one delicious recipe after another.

Today I decided after finding some really cute folders from Target, I would separate each meal and put them into there individual folders.

I don't know about you but I love being organized...I find life is simple and I literally find joy in having a place for everything in my home...thank you to my mom and dad.

                            My first step to spring cleaning...getting ORGANIZED in the kitchen.

                                                                

IN-N-OUT HAMBURGER

                                                                              


My first visit to In-N-Out was a few years ago when I went to visit some of my family in Gilbert Arizona.

My niece was working there. It was a must eat out restaurant to try while I was there.

I have to say you could eat off the floors, it was so clean.  I bet they get great reviews from the Health Inspectors.

                                                                        
I had heard they had one of the best hamburgers around, so I couldn't wait to try one.  When we arrived you would of thought there wasn't another hamburger joint in town, it was packed with people.

We all looked around for an open table but couldn't fine one.  We finally watched the one person that looked like they were going to leave and went and stood at there table and starred them down....you know what I am talking about.

I think we all ordered the same double decker loaded with everything, and yes the fries too.

It was delicious and that doesn't even begin to tell you how wonderful each bit tasted.

                                                              
I have to say  I always thought my hamburgers where so plain tasting,,,no matter what I put on them they were boring to me, until now.

 

Lets see in this hamburger is...slowly cooked sauteed onions, special sauce (ketchup-mayo-sweet relish), mustard, pickles, fresh tomatoes, crispy lettuce, seasoned hamburger on a butter toasted bun.

I don't know but the words....gooey, sweet, salty, savory, crispy, meaty, melty, and just plain messy are pretty good  words describing this hamburger.

                                                                              
To really finish this dish off I added of course some fries.

Dinner came and went in moments as we sat down and ate...I don't remember much conversation:)

I will say in all honesty I couldn't finish mine. I could only eat half of it.  It was just to filling for me.

                                                                        
I am sorry  to show you  my half eaten burger.....but at this point I had to call it good. I wrapped it up and put in the refrigerator for another day.

It was kinda funny to watch the dogs at our feet waiting for a crumb to fall.   They are getting way to comfortable with our food.

If your looking for a new delicious hamburger to serve for your family, then give these a try.   I know I know, these are not great on the waist but that's ok to try something every now and then.

Cheers!   Susan


Recipe     Makes 4

1 1/2 pound of lean chuck beef

salt and pepper

 2 dill pickles

 1 head crisp lettuce

 2 fresh large tomatoes

1 lrg. onion (sauteed and caramelized)

 2 T mustard

8 slices american cheese (2 slices per hamburger)

hamburger buns




Special sauce recipe:
Serves 4 Hamburgers
4 T ketchup
2 T mayo
1 T sweet relish...mix together and set aside.
1/4 t lawrys seasoning

To start off, cut up your onion into strips, and to a heated skillet cook your onions on low. It takes about hour to turn brown.  I added 1/3 cup of water half way to let the onions carmelize them.  Remove from the stove and set aside.

Using a large bowl add your hamburger, and add salt and pepper to taste.  Take some saran wrap and flatten  your patties. I made mine about 5 inches in diameter.

Cut up your washed tomatoes, lettuce and pickles.  Set aside

To start the process butter each side of your buns.  Toast them on your griddle until they are lightly brown.
Set aside on a plate.   Then add each patty to the griddle and cook for 10 minutes. Before you turn them over add 1t of mustard to the top of your hamburger and flip.  Then place a piece of cheese to each patty and let it melt...about another 5 minutes.

While those are cooking, add you special sauce to the top and bottom bun.  Then add the dill pickles( 4slices) to the bottom bun.

Remove with a spatula your hamburgers and place them to the bottom bun. To finish it offt add your toppings, sauteed onions, tomato, and the lettuce, and top it off with your top bun.

There you go...an In-N-Out burger for yourself.

Dave's Beef Stew

On a cold day there isn't anything better then a bowl of hot stew.   I don't know about you but all of us in my  home feel like hibernating  these days. It is so grey and soggy outside.  So lets say GOOD-BYE to February
and hello to sunny days and spring weather in March.

Canning stew is a common accurance for Dave when he heads out for a hunting trip.  When Dave has been out hunting for a day it's nice to come back to camp and open up a jar of his own homemade stew.  

                                                                                                                              Me on the other hand I like being at home. I am just not that adventurous  as he is. I like the comforts of home.

                 We decided to use our super sized crock pot and cook the stew on low.


RECIPE

1 pound of lean stew meat ( cut into bit size pieces)

4 large carrots

3 stalks of celery

1 large onion or one small bag of pearl onion

2 large potatoes

1 bag of peas

3 cloves of garlic

I bay leaf

1/4 c kitchen bouquet  ( you can find in your local grocery store)

3 cup of organic beef stock

Salt and pepper

1T olive oil

2 T flour

2 T cold water

Start by cooking your beef, onions, kitchen bouquet  in a skillet. Adding  2 strips of bacon would add some great flavor, we didn't use any because we were out.  Cook the meat until its brown...about 10 minutes.

Put the beef ,beef stock, garlic, onions, carrots, peas, celery, bay leaf, salt and pepper into your slow cooker.

In the same skillet, add 1T olive oil, cut your potatoes into bit size piece and cook until they are brown on both sides. Then add to your pot of stew.

Cover and cook 7-9 hours.

To finish it off...take 2T of flower and mix with 2T water and add to your stew for thickness..

What is your favorite soup in the winter month???

Enjoy Dave & Susan