Comfort Foods and Monday Menu Plan linky

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What are some of your favorite, go to comfort foods for the winter months? Besides celebrating National Soup Month I've included a few comfort foods below. Let me know if you add any of these into your family weekly menu plan.
Please share any of your recipes, comfort food recipes and menu plans below! Link up as many as you want. If you have a weekly food linky of any sort you are more than welcome to share that in my linky, too! I always welcome this.
Monday - Love the Baked Taco and Menu Plan by Savor This Moment from last week! It is so worth checking out! 

Tuesday- Easy Homemade Spaghetti & Meatballs

Wednesday - Steak Stroganoff (I do both chicken & steak and for some reason I never put up a photo. I will this week!)

Thursday - Skillet Chicken Cordon Bleu 

Friday -Homemade Honey Pizza Crust (Honey BBQ Chicken Pizza)

Weekend- I don't plan much on the weekends. We are just so busy and almost eat out at least once. I do want to try this Tomato Mushroom Oven Omelette linked up last week by Semi-Homemade Mom. It looks delish and perfect to make for the weekend! 

More weekend fun-Are you a tea drinker? Then check out this fun series Tea in Two Thousand and Thirteen: Week One by blogger 1nOnlyAnnas Pieces of Life

Link up any of your recipes or menu plans below! I will pick a few of my favorites to feature next week! I do appreciate you linking up and I can't wait to try some of your recipes!

I've linked up at OrgJunkie's Menu Plan Monday link up and always check out 3 Boys and a Dog menus. I will pin some of the post on Pinterest as I have time! If you do pin my post, please leave a comment and I will be sure to get yours pinned. Thanks!

{National Soup Month} Share your favorite recipes

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Soups rule my menu during crisp Fall days and harsh Winter nights. January is National Soup Month which must be the peak soup month. We do not have a particular favorite and I'm always looking for new recipes.
Here are 10 of our favorite soup recipes which all get made many times from October through March. Do you have any favorites? Link them up below so that I can come check them out. If you have a Soup board on Pinterest, link that up, too! You can check out my board and some of the soups that I have collected at Soups & Stews.

Pizza Soup 
Middle Eastern Spicy Lentil Soup
White Chili
Manhattan Clam Chowder
Chicken Veggie Thai Soup
Bean & Ham Soup
Squash and Spinach Soup
Potato Broccoli Cheese Soup, quick & easy 
Creole-Style Red Bean Soup with Shrimp
Italian Sausage & Bean Soup

and bonus ones not in the photo-
Easiest Chili Ever
Mexican Taco Soup and Tortilla Soup
Easiest Potato Soup EVER
Tomato Ravioli Soup
Tomato Soup *quick and easy* 

Want to join in the FUN today?
HOW TO JOIN THE LINKY Party (all optional)
1) Pin this Party Post to Pinterest- Please! 
2) Link up your most clicked on post, most followed Pinterest board, favorite pinterest pin, etc...anything goes.
3) Add your Pinterest name to the linky.
4) In turn pin a few things on the linky.

Please follow my boards on Pinterest- SusieQTpies Scraps of Life and cohost  Crystal and Company and  3 Boys and a Dog. We do follow back.

Gooseberry Patch 101 Farmhouse Favorites Giveaway & Recipes

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Gooseberry Patch has a new cookbook! I have taste tested recipes in their new 101 Farmhouse Favorites Cookbook. Here are some of our family favorites!
My favorite cookbook publisher is Gooseberry Patch. I have loved them since I held my first cookbook back when I was a teenager (over 20 years ago.) Feel free to search around for many of their recipes and cookbook reviews on my blog. Today I'm sharing with you one of their newest, 101 Farmhouse Favorites. 
This cookbook has 101 recipes with 101 photos for each recipe. Here are the chapters and a few of my favorites:
1-Bread of Day Breakfasts-Blueberry French Toast, Baked Shrimp Grits, Impossibly Easy BLT Pie
2-Garden-Fresh Soups & Salads-Tomato Garbanzo Salad, Summer in a Bowl Salad, Cabbage Tomato Slaw, Fresh Kale Salad
3-Family Dinner Favorites-Just Perfect Sloppy Joes, Cayenne Fried Chicken, Shrimp Creole, Lighter Than Air Potato Rolls, Bacon Florentine Fettuccine
4-Blue-Ribbon Desserts-Candy Apple Cheesecake, Blue Goose Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, Peanut Butter Apple Crisp, Peanut Butter Ice Cream, Hucklebucks
5-Classic Country Canning-Garlic Dill Pickles, Old Time Corncob Jelly, Amish  Hot Pepper Rings, Quick Picnic Pickles, Aunt Ruth's Dilly Beans, Mom's Peach Butter
Shrimp Creole pg. 55

Ingredients
1/3 c. shortening
1/4 c. all purpose flour
2 lbs uncooked large shrimp, peeled & cleaned
1 c. hot water
2 8oz can tomato sauce
1/2 c. green onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 c. green pepper, chopped
1 slice lemon
2 T. sugar
1 1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. dried thyme
1/8 t. red pepper flakes
2 bay leaves
cooked rice

Directions
Melt shortening in a large stockpot over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook until it starts to brown. Add remaining ingredients except cooked rice. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Spoon over cooked rice. Serves 4-6.

Kitchen Notes- I try and follow direction as written but I had to make a few changes to suit my family. I used red, orange & yellow peppers instead of green. I also added in 1 lb of chicken cut into pieces because some do not like shrimp. FYI- when you do the shortening (I used butter) and flour mixture at the beginning, that is called a Roux. We loved this recipe and will make it again.


Blue Goose Pie p. 71

Ingredients
2c. fresh gooseberries
2 1/2 c. fresh blueberries
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 t. salt
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 c. cornstarch
2 9 inch pie crust
1 T. butter, sliced

Directions
In a bowl, mix together berries, sugar, salt, cinnamon and cornstarch; toss to coast berries well. Line a 9" pie plate with one pie crust. Pour berry mixture into crust; dot with butter. Cover with top crust; seal and vent crust. Bake pie at 450 degrees for 50 minutes, or until crust is golden and filling is bubbly. Serves 8.

Kitchen Notes- You can use out shapes into your crust, weave it or leave it whole.

I have more to share with this cookbook so check back frequently for more recipes!

You want to win one of these cookbooks? I'm take the easy to enter approach here.

TO ENTER: (ends Feb. 1st)

Mandatory Entry #1- Please Subscribe to our newsletter. It is new! It just requires an email! Once you click to subscribe you have to confirm it in your email. *Soon I will have freebies to give you through this and a giveaway just for my email subscribers.

BONUS Entry optional- What is your favorite family recipe? If you have a link, please leave it below.

{Super Bowl Recipes} Spinach Artichoke Focaccia with Fleischmann's yeast

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Here is another easy Spinach Artichoke Super Bowl Recipes. It uses Fleischmann's Yeast for the Focaccia which turns a dip into  portable bread bites. 


Before I give you the recipe I want to share with you a Super Bowl Special Big Game promotion for Fleischmann’s Pizza Crust yeast on their Facebook page. All you need to do is submit your favorite "Big Game" pizza recipe to be entered to win a pizza stone, pizza cutter and other great prizes. 

I am working on my Big Game Day recipes to share with family and friends. For the day, our group loves to prepare simple, tasty and savory recipes. I tried out this Fleischmann's Yeast recipe to see if it was worth taking on Sunday. It was a hit with my family so I will be making it for game day. They love spinach artichoke dip and this recipe make for a portable snack because it is layered and baked on top of a home made focaccia.

Do you cook or bake from scratch these days? I'm finding more and more that I am going back to the basics and baking from scratch. This focaccia recipe didn't take too long to make and the taste was so much better than a frozen one from the store. It was fresh and didn't have any added preservatives!

I was telling my teen, who helped me with this recipe, that 15 years ago I alway made my own bread, hamburger buns,etc. Over time I did stop baking bread from scratch because of all the easy to buy baked goods at the local store. Guess what? My pantry is stocked with Fleischmann's yeast so get ready for more made from scratch recipes here on my blog. I've already found a few more ideas from the Fleischmann's yeast baking website and plan to try out their Fleischmann’s Pizza Crust yeast.


Spinach Artichoke Focaccia

Makes: 18 servings 
Prep Time: 25 minutes 
Proof Time: 30 to 40 minutes 
Bake Time: 30 to 35 minutes 

Ingredients

Bread:2-1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour1 envelope Fleischmann's® RapidRise Yeast1 tablespoon sugar1 teaspoon salt1 cup very warm water (120° to 130°F)2 tablespoons olive oil2 tablespoons butter OR margarine, melted1 tablespoon Spice Islands® Minced Garlic
Topping:1 tablespoon butter OR margarine1/4 cup minced onion1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup mayonnaise1/2 teaspoon Spice Islands® Garlic Powder1 package (10 ounces) frozen spinach, thawed and drained 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Directions

Combine 1-1/2 cups flour, undissolved yeast, sugar and salt in a large mixer bowl.  Add water and oil and beat for 2 minutes.  Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.  Turn out onto floured counter and knead 5 to 6 minutes, until smooth.  Cover dough and let rest 10 minutes.  Combine butter and minced garlic; set aside.


Roll or press dough to fit into a greased 13 x 9-inch pan.  Using wooden spoon handle or a finger, poke holes in dough every 1 to 2 inches.  Drizzle with garlic butter mixture.  Cover and let rise 30 to 40 minutes, until doubled.  Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes; remove from oven.
While focaccia is baking, make the topping.  Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add onion and cook 2 to 3 minutes or until onion is soft.  Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise and garlic powder.  Stir until blended and softened.  Squeeze any remaining liquid out of spinach.  Add spinach and artichokes to skillet, stirring to blend.  Spread over partially baked focaccia.  Sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese.  
Return to oven and bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Best served warm. 

Kitchen Notes: We loved this and it tasted just as good warm as it did cold. One of the teens suggested to use less topping and add chicken next time to make it a meal. I thought that was a great idea and will add it next time. Check out my first Focaccia recipe from a few years back.

So what do you think? Will you try this easy to make Super Bowl recipe? What snacks will you make or expect to eat? Which team are you cheering for? Don't forget to enter the Big Game Promotion which will end 2/3/13. 

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for ACH. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.”

How to Handle Your School's Football Obsession if You're Not Football-Obsessed

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Endure the mass hysteria known as football season with these mildly subversive tactics.

To complete this how-to, you will need:

Offbeat school colors
Compelling photos
"I Hate Football" group
Happy place

Step 1: Tweak the team colors

Forced to wear team colors to show your school spirit? Wear shades that are close, but a little bit off. You'll feel like less of a lemming without pissing off the football jocks.

Step 2: Ditch the pep rallies

Ditch the pep rallies however you can. If anyone asks where you were, whisper "stomach troubles" and they'll leave you alone.

No way to escape the pep rally? Stay seated when the team enters as your silent protest.

Step 3: Keep photos handy

Scan the internet for funny, weird, or shocking photos to keep on your phone. Anytime someone wants to talk football, use them to change the subject.

Step 4: Start a group

Vent with like-minded people in an "I Hate Football" group. Make plans together for game nights, when the rest of a town is at the stadium.

Step 5: Have a happy place

When all else fails, have a happy place to go to in your head when everyone around you is boring you to tears with their football obsession. And remember: sooner or later, you'll graduate!

TV star Ryan Seacrest played football for the Dunwoody High School Wildcats in Atlanta.

Thanks for watching How to Handle Your School's Football Obsession if You're Not Football-Obsessed! If you enjoyed this video, subscribe to the Howcast YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=howcast

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• How to Prevent a Football Head Injury 
• Pest Control: How to Avoid Hotel Bed Bugs 
• How To Make White Rice 
• How To Make Pizza Dough 
• How To Make Edible Garnishes 
• How To Celebrate Rosh Hashanah 

Weight Loss Inspiration {Inspiring People}

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There are so many inspiring people around me each day. I want to share their stories with you this year! Check in each week and get a dose of inspiration with a side of weigh loss. 
If you have been following my blog, you know that I'm on a healthier lifestyle journey. In April 2012 many factors came together at one time to make me jump off the couch and sign up at my local gym. 
When I started this journey I could barely walk 4 times around the walking track (18 times around is 1 mile). After that first day I told myself that I was going to walk off my weight and made it my goal to go farther and farther each time. Well 9 months later I have walked off over 60 pounds and 12 bags of clothes! I took the clothes to charity. I no longer need them.
For week #3 of my 52 weeks of Inspiration I am featuring this bag of clothes. I know that sounds crazy but I look at this picture when I'm feeling like I don't want to go to the gym. I know I can't stop walking or working out. These clothes are gone and they aren't coming back! 
My goal for 2013 is to get rid of 60 more pounds and I will do it. I have had help from my local gym, LifeKraze, BobHarper, #mamavation and my newest inspiration- Jullian Michaels (more on her later!) Not only have these 4 things inspired me but so have local friends and various blogs and websites. I will keep featuring these each week for 2013. I hope you get inspired, too!
What inspires you? I'd really love to know! Feel free to leave a comment and/or a link below. I would LOVE it if you signed up for my brand new Newsletter! More recipes and inspiration coming soon! 

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{Super Bowl Recipes} Spinach Artichoke Focaccia with Fleischmann's yeast

To contact us Click HERE
Here is another easy Spinach Artichoke Super Bowl Recipes. It uses Fleischmann's Yeast for the Focaccia which turns a dip into  portable bread bites. 


Before I give you the recipe I want to share with you a Super Bowl Special Big Game promotion for Fleischmann’s Pizza Crust yeast on their Facebook page. All you need to do is submit your favorite "Big Game" pizza recipe to be entered to win a pizza stone, pizza cutter and other great prizes. 

I am working on my Big Game Day recipes to share with family and friends. For the day, our group loves to prepare simple, tasty and savory recipes. I tried out this Fleischmann's Yeast recipe to see if it was worth taking on Sunday. It was a hit with my family so I will be making it for game day. They love spinach artichoke dip and this recipe make for a portable snack because it is layered and baked on top of a home made focaccia.

Do you cook or bake from scratch these days? I'm finding more and more that I am going back to the basics and baking from scratch. This focaccia recipe didn't take too long to make and the taste was so much better than a frozen one from the store. It was fresh and didn't have any added preservatives!

I was telling my teen, who helped me with this recipe, that 15 years ago I alway made my own bread, hamburger buns,etc. Over time I did stop baking bread from scratch because of all the easy to buy baked goods at the local store. Guess what? My pantry is stocked with Fleischmann's yeast so get ready for more made from scratch recipes here on my blog. I've already found a few more ideas from the Fleischmann's yeast baking website and plan to try out their Fleischmann’s Pizza Crust yeast.


Spinach Artichoke Focaccia

Makes: 18 servings 
Prep Time: 25 minutes 
Proof Time: 30 to 40 minutes 
Bake Time: 30 to 35 minutes 

Ingredients

Bread:2-1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour1 envelope Fleischmann's® RapidRise Yeast1 tablespoon sugar1 teaspoon salt1 cup very warm water (120° to 130°F)2 tablespoons olive oil2 tablespoons butter OR margarine, melted1 tablespoon Spice Islands® Minced Garlic
Topping:1 tablespoon butter OR margarine1/4 cup minced onion1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup mayonnaise1/2 teaspoon Spice Islands® Garlic Powder1 package (10 ounces) frozen spinach, thawed and drained 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Directions

Combine 1-1/2 cups flour, undissolved yeast, sugar and salt in a large mixer bowl.  Add water and oil and beat for 2 minutes.  Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.  Turn out onto floured counter and knead 5 to 6 minutes, until smooth.  Cover dough and let rest 10 minutes.  Combine butter and minced garlic; set aside.


Roll or press dough to fit into a greased 13 x 9-inch pan.  Using wooden spoon handle or a finger, poke holes in dough every 1 to 2 inches.  Drizzle with garlic butter mixture.  Cover and let rise 30 to 40 minutes, until doubled.  Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes; remove from oven.
While focaccia is baking, make the topping.  Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add onion and cook 2 to 3 minutes or until onion is soft.  Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise and garlic powder.  Stir until blended and softened.  Squeeze any remaining liquid out of spinach.  Add spinach and artichokes to skillet, stirring to blend.  Spread over partially baked focaccia.  Sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese.  
Return to oven and bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Best served warm. 

Kitchen Notes: We loved this and it tasted just as good warm as it did cold. One of the teens suggested to use less topping and add chicken next time to make it a meal. I thought that was a great idea and will add it next time. Check out my first Focaccia recipe from a few years back.

So what do you think? Will you try this easy to make Super Bowl recipe? What snacks will you make or expect to eat? Which team are you cheering for? Don't forget to enter the Big Game Promotion which will end 2/3/13. 

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for ACH. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.”