Swiss Chard Balls!

I made these tonight, but tweeked the recipe.  I used to use Stouffer's stuffing mix but it has HFCS in it and also some other not-so-healthy ingredients.  So I made them with my panko bread crumbs and my own seasonings.  These are DELICOUS appetizers!  I also made them from my swiss chard!!!  :D  I seasoned them up a bit in a Greek tradition but also envisioned doing a Greek version of this (with feta, etc.) so I think I will get working on that batch next! 

Indian Dinner!

Garlic Naan!  My first time making Naan and it was delcious!

Tonight I made Tandoor-Spiced Leg of Lamb, Curried Okra with Red Mustard Sauce, Lemon Scented Brown Rice with Pistacios & Garlic Naan.  This was really delicious.  I was excited to make my (local raised at Gorman Heritage Farm) bone-in leg of lamb without having to bone it!  :)

Some canned hot pepper rings

I love canning and took advantage of some spicy hot red peppers that I should have cut when green but just didn't get around to it.  Therefore, I have spicy red pepper (rings) now canned and ready for a yummy spicy sandwich or salad!  Thanks Karla for the Padron peppers.  Please come pick any green ones you want b/c I just can't get to them quick enough.   And also you are welcome to my canned rings, how ever many you want! I am so happy to give back to you!  ☺

Cookies!

These were my FAVORITE growing up...peanut butter criss crosses!  This is my mom's recipe, except for the fact that while making them tonight I got a really great idea!  Put the mini chocolate chips in them!  Who doesn't love peanut butter AND chocolate chips?  So there you have it, the BEST peanut butter (chocolate chip) criss crosses I have EVER tasted!  Guess who else loves them???  FRANK and LIA!  ♥

Yummers...homemade pizza

In the top photo Lia is eating a banana before she dives into the home made pizza - one made just for her = my marinara, tomatoes, green olives, cheese.  The other one I used up some left over Red Pepper & Eggplant Gratin that I made with my veggies.  And, Lia just LOVES green beans also! What a good eater!

Shitakes!

I got a shroom on my log from my mushroom class!  This is very exciting for me!

Country Fried Steaks!

The cubed steak came from Red Sun Farm.

Not your mother's cubed steak (or at least not mine). I never liked cubed steak as a kid but try this recipe and I think you might!  Sizzle sizzle. A friend recommended a cookbook to me "The Pioneer Woman Cooks", and I got the recipe from there. I forgot to get shot of the finished dish!  I also made gravy with the drippings and served it over the chicken-fried-steak and the meal was well rounded and delicious with local green beans (from Yellow Springs) and potatoes.  Yummy!

New food find: Pizzelle Maker!!!

My VERY first 2 pizzells, not too impressive, but fun anyway!

Ok, so I am SUPER excited about my new food find today!  Lia and I went to Goodwill and it was 50% off everything!  I found a Pizzelle maker, almost didn't buy it, but then went back and looked again because I checked and it was brand new...never used.  I thought "if this has the recipe and instruction booklet I should just get it".  Especially because it will cost me only $4.   And I really was thinking how simple I could make cookies with Lia using this.  So, that is exactly what I did.  We came home, had dinner, and then made some pizzelle cookies together!  It was really fun and super easy.  I'd like to try the cocoa version of these cookies below and also a more savory recipe I just found for Herbed Parmesan Cheese Pizzelles. Looking forward to experimenting with this pizzelle maker!

Frank suggested (leave it to him) after his first taste "you know what would be good on these?" and I answered, "I know, powdered sugar".  This is what the recipe booklet said, serve plain or with powdered sugar.  Who woulda guessed my husband could be so smart with his culinary instincts for sweets?  Me!  :)  After sprinkling our (Lia and my) cookie with the powdered sugar, Lia would not eat it!  And if this is how my daughter decides to be a "picky eater" it is OK with me!  (I also figure that she'll get over it once she really tastes confectioner's sugar!).

Severances for dinner!

We had such a great evening with the Severances: Melissa, David, the 3 boys and baby Ivy.  (Lia's FAVORITE all-time friends ever: she talks about them CONSTANTLY.....ALL of them - Me-ssa, David, Ow-nen, Emmy Ollllvr and Baby Ivy). 

Here is David playing soccer with them in the back yard.  I love seeing the chickens in these photos!  Unfortunately, I didn't capture any more photos, being busy serving dinner and hosting the party.

Look at Ms. Princess!  I had to post this one. 

Mom, that dress is GORGEOUS on her...even with those fancy sparkles!  ;)

Now she's moving like one of the boys!

Fall Harvest!

Ok, so this is my idea of beauty!  Swiss chard, red peppers, eggplant (2 different kinds) some okra, broccoli and a few small tomatoes that you can't see.  Welcome Fall and Fall weather!!!  ♥ it!  I made a delicious gratin of peppers, eggplant, onions, tomatoes, garlic, cheese and olive oil with much of this harvest.

A Stanton visit!

Frank's nephew Michael and his girlfriend Meghan came into town to spend the weekend with us this Labor Day!  What a special treat to have Stanton family in town!  We loved having them and hope them come back again soon and joked about making it an event each year. We had a great time with them both, really enjoyed meeting Meghan, and Lia loved them also!  There was so much to do while they were here, including Frank going down to the Fireworks on the river with them both on Sunday.