Passed down the generations.....

As you might have guessed from my last few posts... I LOVE history, I LOVE cooking and I LOVE family! Put those three things together and you get this Cobbler recipe that comes from my Great-Grandmother, given to my by my Grandma. You can use this recipe with peaches or apples.... just depends on what is in season. Right now my peach trees (I have two) are LOADED!!! YUMMY!!! They are small and take forever to "put-up" so we mostly enjoy them fresh. This desert is a MUST make during peach season. Enjoy! Using "in season" fruit is a great way to save money. I try to "put-up" as many types of fresh produce as I can to enjoy over the winter. In the winter I enjoy making mixed fruit cobblers.... a little of every fruit in my freezer! We have had some interesting combinations and it is ALL good! I am going to type up the recipe the exact way it was given to me.... I use whatever fruit is in season. The boy's and I picked some blueberries tonight at a local farm... they are yummy to add in! For more frugal ideas go to Biblical Womanhood for Frugal Friday.

Great-Grandmother's Cobbler

Fill a 9x13 pan with peeled and sliced apples (about 5-7 cups)

Cut together the following ingredients until crumbly and spread over the apples:
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar (more for tart apples) (can use 1/2 cup brown and 1/2 cup white)
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 unbeaten egg
1/2 stick butter

After you spread this mixture over the fruit sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg over topping.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.


Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com
Sign up for the free Simple Family Supper Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SimpleFamilySupper/

Recipes from the past

From my great book find yesterday I thought I would post a couple of recipes. I have always made Baking POWDER biscuits, however, according to this book during the westward expansion Baking SODA biscuits were a common food. I haven't tried them, yet.... I will!

Baking SODA biscuits
Ingredients:
2 c. flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 sour milk (to make sour milk put 1 TBL vinegar or lemon juice in measuring cup and add milk to get the 3/4 cup. Allow to sit 10 minutes to curdle.)
1 1/4 tsp salt
2 TBL melted shortening
milk to brush tops of biscuits

Directions:
1) Mix flour salt and baking soda in a large bowl.
2) Stir in shortening and sour milk until a soft dough forms. Add more milk ij necessary.
3) Roll dough out on floured surface to 1 inch thickness. Cut out rounds of dough.
4) Put biscuits so that sides touch on a greased cooking sheet. brush tops with plain milk.
5) Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes or until lightly browned

Hardtack anyone?? You always hear about it but I have never made it or tasted it..... I have to say they don't sound very appealing without the bugs that so commonly infested them! Here is the recipe:

Hardtack
Ingredients:
3 cups flour
2 tsp salt
1 cup water

Directions:
1) In a large bowl mix together the flour and salt.
2) Add water and stir or work with hands to blend.
3) Knead dough, adding more flour if mixture becomes sticky. Turn our on a floured board.
4) Roll the dough into a rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 3 inch squares. Using a larg, clean, nail poike 16 holes through each square.
5) Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until brown. Store in an airtight container.

Now the next recipe sounds a lot better! I will make this one in the fall..... I know it is going to smell great baking!!!

Gingerbread
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup molasses
2 eggs
1 TBL ginger
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup boiling water
2 3/4 cup flour

Directions:
1) Cream butter and add surgar, molasses and eggs.
2) Mix in spices and baking soda.
3) Stir in half of the water, then half of the flour. Repeat.
4) Pour batter into a greased 9x13 baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or utinl center springs back when touched lightly.

Well, I getting off the computer to get busy here at home. I feel so incredibly blessed to be a stay at home mom and homemaker. I am blessed to have a job that allows me to work from home and be with my kids (and save on gas money and childcare)! I thank God for giving my hubby a great job that supports us so I can do this!

Anyway, I am off to feed animals, work in the garden, PICK peaches from the peach trees, bake bread, make a HUGE batch of zucchini bread, make a double batch of supper (one to give away to a new mom), and sew up a hooded baby towel for a baby gift and keep the laundry going...... Sometimes my plans for the day are a bit much.... Oh, well.... one of my favorite sayings: If you don't aim for the target you will miss it every time! My target for today: FOOD prep and some garden preservation, and practicing hospitality.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com
Sign up for the free Simple Family Supper Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SimpleFamilySupper/

History, Cooking and Children....Three of my FAVORITE things!!!

Today I took the boys to the library. (By the way, we are a family of ALL boys for the week! Robyn is spending the week with my Aunt and her family! I have spoken with Robyn everyday and she is soaking up all the "Grandma" attention! My Grandmother (Robyn's great grandma) lives a mile away from my aunt, so they have seen her everyday.... FUN!)

Anyway, back to 3 of my favorite things.... while at the library I found this book!!!!!! I have really enjoyed looking through it and I am envisioning several cooking/history lessons in the future!!! I just know that many of you out in the "bloggie" world will enjoy this book, too. History, cooking and children! Sounds like a great time and some learning along the way. Even though we aren't an "official" home-schooling family, I believe that life should be a life-long learning endeavor... I want to learn something new every day and want the kids to also.
Enjoy the book!

One more thing: I came across this interesting post from "The Dollar Stretcher" during some research I am doing on the great depression. I enjoyed "Grandma's tips"!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com
Sign up for the free Simple Family Supper Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SimpleFamilySupper/

I'm BACK!!!!!

I'm BACK!!
I was having wireless issues.....
I now have an updated system!
YEAH!!!!!!!
Such beauty to be able to get online again!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com
Sign up for the free Simple Family Supper Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SimpleFamilySupper/

When you see God at work....

I love it when I see God at work! I have really been feeling the tug of the Holy Spirit to refocus some of my energy. More of HIM, less of me! One thing I have done a lot of is write down dreams and goals. I have always posted little notes around the house.... until recently. Today I decided that I NEED to get back to that.... keep in front of me what God is saying to me, what I need to focus on. I printed off my life mission statement (that I wrote back in January of 2007) to post on the fridge. Then tonight I hopped over to one of my favorite blogs and guess what her post was about..... writing down our goals, dreams, areas to grow!!!! She challenged us to do this! God is speaking to me! So back to the computer I went and typed up some more things to post around the house.... I want to keep the vision God has for me front and center.

Posting scripture verses around the house is a powerful way to keep our thoughts focused on what GOD has to say. The world wants us to focus on our lack... God is all about abundance! Abundance of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness and self-control. God is a God of GRACE!!! He forgives me of my short comings!!! God is my HEALER!!! Keeping these verses front and center is my weapon! The armor of God only has one weapon: The sword of the Spirit, God's WORD!! I can fight and WIN any battle I face with God's word!!!!

Join in on this challenge and see what happens! One of my favorite quotes is "If you don't aim at a target you will hit it every time" I want to HIT the target God has for my life!!!!!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com
Sign up for the free Simple Family Supper Yahoo Group
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BLUE ribbon cookies....

My daughter got a BLUE ribbon for her cookies at the 4-H fair!! I thought I would give you all the yummy recipe. She did a GREAT job... I simply supervised the making of these and hopefully she makes them many more times!

Monster Cookies

Oven 350 degrees F

Ingredients: 2 sticks butter 1 cup white sugar 1 ½ cup brown sugar 3 eggs 1 ½ cup creamy peanut butter 1 tsp vanilla 2 tsp baking soda 1 cup flour 4 ½ cups oatmeal 8 oz bag English Toffee bits

Directions: 1) Cream butter and sugars. 2) Add eggs, vanilla and peanut butter mix well. 3) In separate bowl mix together the oats, baking soda and flour. 4) Add the dry ingredients ½ at a time to the cream mixture. Mix well. 5) Stir in the English Toffee bits. 6) Drop on to an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool for 2 minutes before removing cookies from baking sheet. Allow to cool completely on a wire cooling rack.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com
Sign up for the free Simple Family Supper Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SimpleFamilySupper/

Our local county fair opens today!! Our children participate in 4-H and we look forward to the fair all year. If you have never had "Fair Food" you are missing out on an American treat! Mouth watering Pulled BBQ Pork, Corn on the Cob, Lemon Shake-Ups and the irresistible Elephant Ear (or funnel cake). Oh, I am getting hungry just thinking about it! However, the price tag can be a little steep to feed the whole family. Simple Family Supper to the rescue!!! You can bless your family with a "Fair Food" meal right at home for a fraction of the cost. Enjoy this yummy meal at home and then head out for your local county fair. I like to make this meal in the middle of winter as a way to bring some summer to the short winter days.
Enjoy these recipes! Please feel free to forward this message on to your friends and family to enjoy. It is my desire to keep supper simple and empower you to bring the family together. This meal is great served with corn on the cob! Happy Fair Week! www.simplefamilysupper.com

Easy Crock Pot Pulled Pork BBQ
Ingredients:
3-4 pound pork roast
18 oz BBQ sauce of your choice (I like to use the Hickory smoked)

Directions:
1) Place roast in crock pot (Cut meat into large chunks)
2) Pour BBQ sauce over tip and sides of roast.
3) Cover and cook on LOW 7-9 hours or on HIGH 5-6 hours until very tender.
4) Remove meat from crock pot and use two forks to pull pork apart until it is shredded.
5) Return to crock pot and mix thoroughly with sauce. Serve on buns.

County Fair Funnel Cakes
Ingredients:
2 Eggs
1 ½ C Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
¼ C Brown Sugar
2 C Flour
1 ½ tsp Baking Powder
¼ tsp Salt
1 tsp Cinnamon

Directions:
1) Combine eggs, milk, vanilla and brown sugar.
2) Mix together dry ingredients and then add to egg mixture. Whisk till smooth.
3) Heat oil (about 1Inch deep) to 375 degrees.
4) Cover the bottom of a funnel spout with finger and ladle ½ cup batter into funnel. Hold the funnel several inches above hot oil. Release finger and move funnel in a spiral motion until all batter is out. Fry 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining batter.

Dust with powdered sugar or with cinnamon and sugar. 6 servings.

Lemon Shake Up
Ingredients:
1/2 fresh lemon
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cup crushed ice

Directions:
1) Thoroughly juice the lemon half and cut into quarters.
2) Put both fruit and juice into a 16 ounce disposable glass. Add the sugar, water, and crushed ice. Stir drink by pouring back and forth between two glasses several times.
3) Add very cold water to fill glass, then enjoy.


Have a GREAT day!
As a MOM owned small business I rely on your word of mouth to spread the word about Simple Family Supper. Thank You!!!!!
Sign up for the free Simple Family Supper Yahoo Group

Heather Corbin
www.simplefamilysupper.com
HeatherCorbin@simplefamilysupper

Frugal fun in the sun!

Last Sunday we skipped church (go ahead, get the gasp out!) and headed for the beach!!! (we needed a BREAK from all the "stuff") We aren't going on "vacation" this year so we have done a few "day trips". Day trips are fun and save a ton of money. We went to a state park 60 miles away. Every year we purchase a State Park annual pass. We have a State park in our backyard and so we get our money's worth of use. This was our first trip to this lake and we will be going BACK soon! It was a wonderful, CLEAN, beach! We had SO much FUN!!!!! In the picture my hubby is with our youngest two while the oldest two kids are swimming in the distance. We packed our lunch and drinks and made a frugal day of swimming and laughter!!!! State Parks are a wonderful resource for fantastic family fun!
To read other frugal tips visit Biblical Womanhood.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather
www.simplefamilysupper.com

Aaahhhh......... and.... Ouch!!!!

Aaahhh..... Do you remember the feeling you had when you handed in your LAST final exam of the semester??? That totally "Free" feeling?? Well, that is how the oldest two kids and I are feeling!! We turned in the last of the 4-H projects last night.... a total of 12! YEAH!! I am really proud of my children... they worked hard and learned a TON!! Pictured is Wes' computer poster..... The fair opens on Saturday!!! The kids can't wait to see what ribbons they get... I know already that they got the longterm prize... knowledge and experience!

Ouch!!!! I am feeling that great muscle burn from a fantastic workout! I did something I have NEVER done before: I ordered a workout system from an infomercial!!! Can you believe it?? I can't hardly believe it myself! I saw it 3 weeks ago.... wrote down "Barry's Boot Camp" on a 3*5 card and hung it on my fridge. I prayed about it and WAITED! I am not into impulse spending (when it comes to more than $5). I finally took the plunge... the set got here this morning (at 8:20) and I have already worked out (9:45)! This is going to be GREAT!!!!!!! It is just my kind of workout.... I HATE dance style aerobics of anykind.... this is separate exercises that you do for just 1 minute each!!! Yeah, I can do anything for ONE minute!!! I have a stationary bike that I used FAITHFULLY to loose ALL of my baby weight between #3 and #4 and I rode it my entire pregnancy with #4.... now I can't stand the thing... anyone want it???? I really want to get toned up... any weight loss would be a bonus, but not necessary. I want MUSCLE!!!!!!! (Not that I am a wimp... I can handle 5 gallon buckets of water 3 times a day for the pigs and I can load and unload 50 pound bags of feed.... I would just like some muscle tone all over... especially in the ab area!)

Well, I am off to CLEAN my house!!! It really needs some attention!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather
www.simplefamilysupper.com

I'm on a food kick!

As you all know.... I enjoy cooking... I also enjoy eating! Last night we had our first batch of fresh, locally grown, sweet corn for supper!! YUMMY, melt in your mouth! Prices have gone up from last year...$4.25 for a farmer's dozen (14 ears). I am thinking we should grow and sell sweet corn next year... hmmm this has me thinking! Any of my readers do this?? I am open for suggestions.

I wanted to pass on a GREAT article from Making Home about a *RICE* diet... with a twist!
Check it out and let me know what you think!!!!!!! I have always loved rice, but this article made me think about *RICE* in a whole new way!!!!!

Also wanted to pass along another interesting link: calculate the number of calories you need in order to loose weight by certain dates... you just fill in some simple answers and it gives you a calorie count.... it was actually encouraging! I don't *need* to loose weight.. my BMI is fine... I would really like to tone up and loose about 15 pounds. This would get me back to my favorite weight... my skinny weight, not my being a mom weight. We eat healthy... at meals. What gets me is all my eating in between!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Shhhhhh... Don't tell the pigs!

SSHHH the butchering date has been set! I should have called earlier... we are now going to have to put miss Pork Chop on a diet! She is HUGE! They are going to try to work her in, but if they can't she will go in on September the 9th. This is our first time raising our own pork... I now know to just call WAY ahead of time to schedule the date! We are hoping to butcher the other two ourselves. We butcher our deer... we just have to wait till the cooler fall weather... no hanging meat in this HEAT!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

I found it!!!!

I have been on the HUNT for 15 years for a homemade brownie recipe that I like as well as the boxed mix variety. When I was in college my best friend, Jill, and I would make brownies almost weekly and eat them with a spoon while we studied.... wonderful memories!! Well, last night I FOUND the recipe!!!! It mixed up almost as fast and as easy as a box and I will NEVER buy the box variety again! A way to speed up the process would be to mix up the dry ingredients and store in a quart size zip lock bag until I am ready to whip up a batch... basically make your own mix to have on hand (or give as a gift in a pretty jar). For other frugal tips visit Biblical Womanhood. I guess I have been CRAVING chocolate a lot this week! Click here to get the homemade fudge pop recipe.

Perfect fudge brownies:
1 1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup cocoa (could use a little less)
1 tsp salt

Whisk together the oil, water, vanilla and sugar. Whisk in the eggs. Mix togethert he dry ingredients and then add to the sugar mixture. Spread the batter into a greased 9*13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40minutes (depending on your preference). YUMMY!!!


I hope you enjoy these brownies!
I am always open to your feedback, suggestions and favorite recipes!

Have a great day!
Heather Corbin
www.simplefamilysupper.com
heathercorbin@simplefamilysupper.com

Grill Time!!!

We love to grill....especially when we don't have our Air Conditioners in yet. (Though for the record, we have had a BEAUTIFUL summer and have only had one day I wished the air was in. Our 1911 tree shaded and well ventilated house stays very cool.)

Grilling Bone-IN Chicken takes so long on the grill and it is easy for the meat to dry out. To get around this I boil my chicken pieces (adding whatever kinds of spices I feel like) for about 15 minutes. Then I just put them on the grill to finish cooking. Yummy!! I used garlic and onion powder, red pepper, paprika, salt and pepper in the batch pictured. In the picture it is ready to head out to the grill. In the winter I can just put it under the broiler to finish cooking.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Surviving with Fast Track Cooking!

Life is a little crazy around here! We are up to our eyeballs with 4-H projects and All Star softball! Why oh why did I let the kids sign up for soooo many projects????? Wes has 8, Robyn has 7! We are making GREAT progress.... they are all due to the judge next Tuesday night. Our county Fair opens Saturday the 19th.

Robyn was selected for softball All Stars! This was a surprise because she played up a level this year (she is a year younger than the other girls on the team). As a proud Mama I have to brag a little! She is a dynamite catcher! Robyn has had practice EVERY night since Sunday... has today off then practice Thursday before games start on Friday thru Sunday.

Yesterday was a productive day, and "Fast Track" cooking made life much simpler and kept us out of the local drive thru!
I pulled some browned deer burger from the freezer and mixed up some sloppy joes. I put it in my small crock pot and it was ready to go! (Total time spent fixing supper: 10 minutes) Some fresh salad and some cantaloupe and the meal was complete. My hubby worked LATE so he could eat when he got home. (He didn't get home till 7pm) I really appreciate my mom teaching me to mass brown hamburger... she did this as we were growing up. "Fast Track" cooking helps keep life SIMPLE! (well at least simple in the kitchen!)

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

I utilize the "Fast Track" cooking principle in all the menus I create for Simple Family Supper! Save some time in the kitchen: Keep things simple! www.simplefamilysupper.com

Give away at Home Spun Heart

Monica, at Home Spun Heart, is hosting a LAND's END give away!!!! $120 gift card!!!!
You will want to hop over there to sign up for your chance to win. If I win I am definetly getting one of their swim suits. I HATE my current suit... I have had a Land's End suit in the distant past (I think it was between baby 1 and baby2 ... out of 4) and loved it! You can't beat their quality.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Thank You, ValleyGirl!

Thank You, ValleyGirl! Tammi completely surprised me by creating this Simple Family Supper button for me!! I LOVE it! I am NOT computer savvy and had failed at my attempts to create a button... now I have a BEAUTIFUL one!!! Tammi did this completely on her own, just as a gift of service... God is still alive and at work, don't let anyone tell you otherwise! THANK YOU!!!!!


Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Fudge Pops!

Saving $$$ is important to me. Having GREAT snacks is important to my kids! My mom made these for us when we were growing up! I LOVE them and so do my kids.
Now that the summer HEAT is here, cool off with one of these yummy, yet frugal, treats!

Fudge Pops

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons baking cocoa
• 4 cups milk
• 10 Popsicle molds or plastic cups (3 ounces) and Popsicle sticks

DIRECTIONS

1. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, flour and cocoa. Gradually stir in milk until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool slightly. Pour 1/4 cup into each mold or plastic cup; top with holders or insert Popsicle sticks. Freeze until set. May be frozen for up to 3 months.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Happy Fourth of July!!!

This is one of my favorite holidays... I really enjoy cookouts! In the July Simple Family Supper Menu Kit I included several recipes that can be used for a cookout. I am wanted to share a few with you.

It is my heart's desire to equip you with tools that simplify your life and to help you bring your family together for supper. What could be more fun than a great cookout. Even if you are celebrating quietly at home this year you can make it extra special and keep it simple using these easy recipes!

All of these yummy recipes are on the July Menu. The menu kit includes everything you need to be completely organized. It includes the month's menu, all of the easy to prepare recipes and weekly shopping lists! If you haven't signed up, now is the time!
For ONLY $5 per month you eliminate the "What is for supper?" stress from your life. Save money as you stay out of the drive-up and as you only buy what you need at the store! www.simplefamilysupper.com

As a Mom owned business I would appreciate any "word of mouth" advertising you could give me. Thank you for telling your friends and family about Simple Family Supper!

Heather Corbin
Simple Family Supper

Happy 4th of July!
Enjoy these recipes!

Cowboy Burgers

Grill or Broil

Ingredients: 2 pounds lean ground beef 2 – 4 TBL Worcestershire sauce ½ tsp onion powder ¼ tsp garlic powder Salt and pepper to taste Sliced pepper jack cheese (optional)

Directions: 1) Place the ground meat in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle on Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. 2) Mix well (use your hands!) and form into patties. 3) Preheat grill. Cook burgers over medium heat until desired doneness is reached. Top with sliced cheese (optional)

Cheesy Potatoes with Sausage

Crock Pot or Oven

Ingredients: 1 large bag frozen diced hash brown potatoes (optional: the hash browns with onions and peppers) 1 12-16 oz package kielbasa sausage, diced 2 cans cheddar cheese soup 8 oz reduced fat sour cream 1 ½ cups milk ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp onion powder 1 tsp parsley flakes (optional) Salt and pepper to taste

Crock Pot Directions: 1) Spray the crock pot liner with non stick cooking spray. Place frozen potatoes in crock pot. 2) Dice up the sausage and add to the potatoes. 3) In a mixing bowl whisk together the remaining ingredients. Pour over potatoes and stir well. 4) Cook on LOW 6-8 hours or on HIGH 2-4 hours. Oven Directions: Same as above except cook in a 9x13 baking dish. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes until the potatoes are tender.

Seasoned Chops

**Marinate Ahead** Grill or Broil

Ingredients: 6-8 boneless pork loin chops (about 1 inch thick) Marinade: 2/3 cup Worcestershire sauce 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce 3 TBL olive oil (or whatever oil you have on hand) ½ - 1 tsp garlic powder ½ tsp pepper ¼ - ½ tsp cayenne red pepper

Grill Directions: 1) Whisk together the marinade ingredients. Place the chops in a large zip style plastic bag and pour on the marinade. 2) Refrigerate for 8 hours or over night. 3) Drain marinade into a small saucepan. In the small sauce pan bring marinade to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. 4) Grill the chops over medium heat for 10-15 minutes on each side or until juices run clear and a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F. Baste the chops with the simmered marinade. Broil Directions: Same as above except broil chops 4 inches from heat.

Blackberry Cobbler

Oven

Ingredients: ¼ cup butter, softened ½ cup sugar 1 cup flour 2 tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt ½ cup milk 2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries ¾ cup raspberry or apple juice Optional: serve with ice cream or whipped cream

Directions: 1) In a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar till fluffy. 2) In a separate bowl mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. 3) Add the flour mixture to the creamed butter alternately with the milk. Stir until just moistened. Pour into a greased 8x8 baking dish. 4) Sprinkle berries on top of batter. Pour juice over berries. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown. (batter will rise above the berries) Serve warm or cold with optional ice cream or whipped cream.

Zucchini Medley

Stove top/ Crock Pot (set slow cooker to the "warm" setting to keep this dish warm at a cook-out)

Ingredients: 3 cups sliced zucchini (I like to use a blend of green and yellow) 2-3 green onions, sliced thin 1 large green pepper, diced Optional: 1 large banana pepper, diced 2 medium tomatoes, diced 1 TBL olive oil Salt and pepper to taste ½ - ¾ cup Italian dressing

Directions: 1) Prepare all the veggies. 2) In a large skillet sauté the zucchini and onion in the olive oil for 3-4 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and bring to boil. Simmer for 3-5 minutes. 3) Pour into crock pot and keep on LOW or warm.

Something has to give!

Something has to give! I sat down last night and charted out the next two weeks day by day. I had a list of all the things that need to be accomplished in that time and then I assigned each item a day. It was the only way I could wrap my brain around possibly accomplishing it all. I still have some things to add to the list..... I will only be able to get it all done by the grace of GOD!

Having older kids involved in GOOD activities requires a lot of time. Robyn's softball team is still in the tourney... they lost last night and now move to the "losers" bracket, but if they still have a chance of going to the championship game... they just need to win TWO more!!! Wes and Robyn are up to their necks in 4H projects.... they are learning a lot, but it is BUSY!

I LOVE summer! This is my favorite time of the year! The garden is in full swing, the evenings are wonderful spent outside catching lightning bugs, the fair is around the corner, and the smell of corn permeates the air. Something has to give and it is going to be the computer. I NEED the computer to put together Simple Family Supper menu kits. Right now I don't NEED to blog....
Blogging is much more of a winter activity for me..... I will check in every now and then..... I will still read your blogs when I get a chance. One thing I did learn, just as ValleyGirl left on a comment, that not having a computer is both frustrating and freeing! Freedom to NOT worry or think about the computer... no pressure to pump out good posts! Also, freedom from all the wasted time frittered away on this thing.

I am going to FOCUS on LIVING..... Enjoying every minute of SUMMER.... the computer can wait till winter!!!!!

We will get tour Tuesday back up and running when Fall comes.........



Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com