Homemade Baked Beans

Want quick and easy homemade baked beans that won't take all day to make? This delicious recipe was created by Roberta Whalen using mixes from The Gourmet Cupboard.

3 cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 small onion, finely diced
1/2 pkg. TGC Bacon Dip mix
1/2 pkg. TGC Sweet Potato Crunch mix
1 cup BBQ sauce, your favorite brand

Place rinsed and drained pinto beans in a sauce pan with diced onion, 1/2 pkg of Bacon Dip Mix, 1/2 pkg of Sweet Potato Crunch Mix and 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce.

Simmer on the stove for 30 minutes or place in a crockpot on low for 4-6 hours if you have the time and need to transport to a party.

The Gourmet Cupboard
http://www.Kim.TheGourmetCupboard.biz

Quote of the Day

The simplest toy, on which even the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent. ~~ Sam Levenson

Bronchitis is no fun!

I posted a few days ago about this cold/virus of mine and it's still hanging on. In fact, I now have bronchitis, which really puts a damper on enjoying this beautiful summer weather we're having.

I have to admit, besides all the coughing and congestion (ok, I know that 's gross), my biggest complaint is the fact that I'm missing my dear grandson.

It's really hard to spoil the little guy when I'm also trying not to spread the germs! I miss his little hugs, miss him grabbing my hand and saying "Gama, do puzzles" and blowing bubbles on the back porch!

So, I'm taking my meds, loading up on fluids and trying to get lots of rest. However necessary, I find all this down time quite boring.

Little Man, I haven't forgotten you, I will get over this bug and we'll have lots of time to do puzzles and blow bubbles again!

Spinach Dip

I love how easy it is to create this delicious Spinach Dip from The Gourmet Cupboard! Just add one cup of sour cream to the mix, chill for an hour and it's ready to serve with crackers or vegetables for a quick appetizer or snack. Your guests will love it!

Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Use a full package of Spinach Dip and follow prep directions. Add half can of chopped, drained artichokes. Serve with crackers or in a hollowed out bread bowl.

For more information on The Gourmet Cupboard visit, http://www.kim.thegourmetcupboard.biz/

Kindness

In life, you can never do a kindness to soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Summertime Cold = Yuck!

The graphic above says it all! I've been down with a cold and flue-like crap for two days now and I'm not a happy camper at the moment. Ok, maybe it's not quite that bad, but I'd much rather be outside enjoying our beautiful summer weather instead of laying around indoors feeling like death warmed over.

Ok, my venting is over....please enjoy your summer and I'll be back when I'm feeling better!

Favorite Summertime Poems

Summer Comes Poem
The Little darling Spring has run away
The sunshine grew too hot for her to stay
She kissed her sister, Summer,and she said
"When I am gone, you must be queen instead"
Now reigns the Lady Summer, round whose feet
A thousand fairies flock with blossoms sweet.
~ Annonymous

Poem for Summer
Laughter of Lilacs
Rainbows of roses
Songs of the robins
Lily of the valley borders
Sunshine to warm the heart
Oh what joy this season does impart!
~ Anne Morrow Lindberg

"Oh, the summer night,
Has a smile of light,
And she sits on a sapphire throne."
~ Barry Cornwall

Sunflower

One lonely sunflower growing in the sun
Wants to play and have some fun
Then whoosh went the wind
And scattered all the seeds
And now there's lots of sunflowers
Playing in the breeze.
Anonymous

Blueberry Crumb Cake

Oh yeah, it's blueberry season and I love the taste of fresh blueberries! This time of year, I purchase blueberries in bulk and freeze them to enjoy all year long. This crumb cake is a family favorite and I think you'll enjoy it as well!

Batter:
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup oil
1 heaping cup blueberries

Crumb Topping:
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons cold butter (not margarine)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, grease a square baking pan.

Mix flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl, set aside. Mix slightly beaten egg, milk and oil in another bowl. Add in dry ingredients, mix until just blended and pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle blueberries over the top.

Using an electric mixer, beat crumb ingredients until mixture resembles fine crumbles. Sprinkle on top of blueberries and bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes or until cake is done.

One Lovely Blog Award

I have been honored this week with a Lovely Blog Award given to me by Darlene Demell and I am so thankful. What a treat that was! Check out Darlene's blog here http://darlenesrecipesandmore.blogspot.com/. I now get to pass it on as directed by the rules.

The rules are:
1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award on to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered (or as many as you can). Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

My list is as follows with no particluar order….

http://shortinthecord.blogspot.com/

http://healthyperspectives.blogspot.com/

http://militarymomz.blogspot.com/

http://grannieskitchen.blogspot.com/

http://staceystaddie.blogspot.com/

http://ysestringer.blogspot.com/

http://wordsalads.blogspot.com/

My Heart Breaks

Today I'm exhausted and emotionally drained. My husband and I, along with our daughter-in-law and grandson took our son to the airport this morning. My eldest son is a soldier and had been home for the last 2 weeks on his R & R leave from defending our great nation. I don't care how many times or how old they are, a parent never gets used to sending their child off to war.

May God bless my son and all of our men and women proudly serving along with the families who support them.

Jordan Essentials ~ July Specials

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July Hostesses Enjoy A Free Time Rewind Eye Cream valued at $25! Summer Sun can really damage skin! Fight back with our botanical Time Rewind Eye Cream! All of your July hostesses get one free.

To view online catalog or learn more about Jordan Essentials, visit http://www.JordanRep.com/11738

Chocolate Snack Cake

This quick and easy chocolate cake is a favorite at our house!

Chocolate Snack Cake
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup milk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8 inch square pan.

Combine dry ingredients, add vinegar, vanilla and milk. Mix until well blended and pour into prepared pan. Pour chocolate chips over the top.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out with moist crumbs. Cool in pan for 15 minutes.

Our Wandering Libby

This is Libby, isn't she beautiful! Miss Libby is our 4 year old 100 lb. yellow lab who's as sweet and friendly as can be. However, she's also extremely strong willed and will do everything in her power to roam the neighborhood.

We've recently invested in the Invisible Fence, a fantastic company who will train your pet to learn his/her boundaries as well as install the fence system. They also offer a 100% guarantee! Well, Miss Libby has taken it upon herself to test the company's guarantee and my last nerve all at the same time.

Yesterday, she took off for the 4th time since the system was installed. This time during a distraction training (son on outside of fence, Libby and I on inside). She very casually walked right through the fence without even flinching and took off running like a race horse. Dear son ran after her and I followed in the car, both son and dog come home exhausted and panting. Once again, I called the Invisible Fence company and first thing this morning a trainer come back out to the house. Libby ended up getting a stronger collar, I hope and pray it works this time and we have no more roaming.