{inspiration)
Valentine Cookie Bouquets

How cute are these cookie bouquets? Found this idea at Woman's Day. I'll definitely be making these for our little February gathering. I found the cutest glasses at the dollar store last weekend. I think they will be perfect for my cookie bouquets. What do you think?

I bought 2" styrofoam balls today, which fit perfectly in the bottom of these glasses. I plan to stick wooden skewers through the cookies, stick the other end in the styrofoam and fill the glasses with white sugar (as shown in the first picture). If that doesn't work out, these glasses are equally as cute with just a tea light candle in them. Either way, I think I got my money's worth with this find!  

Country Ribs

What a great meal! I was so stuffed, I didn't have the energy to post the recipe last night. Since I'm snowed in today , I'll post two great recipes! The rub John made for these ribs was excellent! I highly recommend it. This recipe comes from Meathead's Memphis Dust Rub Recipe. The recipe makes about 3 cups of rub. You may want to cut it in half. I'm actually glad we made so much. We'll definitely use it again!

Ingredients

3/4 c. brown sugar

3/4 c. white sugar

1/2 c. paprika

1/4 c. kosher salt

1/4 c. garlic powder

2 Tbls. ground black pepper

2 Tbls. ground ginger powder

2 Tbls. onion powder

2 Tbls. rosemary powder (we used actual dried rosemary, fresh would be great too!)

Directions

Mix all ingredients together. Massage onto meat. This can be done the night before or even two hours before you are ready to cook your ribs. You can also start by applying a thin layer of vegetable oil to your ribs, before the rub. Cook the ribs in an oven set to 325 degrees for about 2- 2/12 hours or until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees. We used a digital meat thermometer, which worked great.

  We both agreed that the rub was definitely a winner. However, next time I think we would try it on baby back ribs or country spare ribs. These ribs were a little large and fatty. I'm definitely going to use it on the next pork roast I make. The recipe even suggests using the rub on chicken, turkey or salmon. Enjoy! 

Shredded Potato Casserole

I made this last night to go along with our ribs. It was delicious! This recipe comes from Taste of Home. I was originally going to make this recipe with my prime rib on New Year's Eve, but ended up going with a different potato casserole. I've been waiting to try this one ever since! It make a lot! I highly recommend this recipe when you're having a crowd.

Ingredients

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup whole milk

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup butter, melted, divided

1 package 30 ounces) frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed

1 cup cornflake crumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the soup, sour cream, milk, cheddar cheese, and 1/4 butter. Stir in hash browns. The recipe did not call for it, but I mixed in a little onion powder and salt for some extra flavor. You could just use onion salt if you have it. Transfer to a greased 13x9 baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the cornflake crumbs, Parmesan cheese and remaining butter; sprinkle over top. Bake uncovered, at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until heated through.  Yeild: 6-8 servings.

Happy Cooking!

The Hiatus Is Over!

With all the cooking and eating that goes on in our house, I figured it was about time to start hitting the treadmill again. So after the 5 a.m. coffee with my husband, I broke down and did it. I have to say, I felt pretty energized all day. I tried to eat healthy all day too. For dinner last night I made a really easy, delicious chicken dish. I paired it with fresh, steamed broccoli and white, Jasmine rice. Ok, ok, I know white rice isn't so great for you . . . but it is delicious! And hey, I didn't serve bread with dinner. (That's a start, isn't it?) ENJOY! 

TOTALLY AWESOME (AND QUICK) LEMON CHICKEN

Recipe from: Rowan College Cookbook

Ingredients

1 lemon thinly sliced

6 chicken breasts (I used 3)

3 Tbsp. butter, melted

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 tsp. lemon pepper seasoning (I just sprinkle it on . . .no measuring!)

1 Tbsp. chopped parsley (optional)

4 oz. can sliced mushrooms (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Arrange lemon slices in bottom of a 13x9 baking dish (or whatever size fits your amount of chicken). Place chicken on top of lemon slices. Combine melted butter and lemon juice. Pour over chicken. Sprinkle evenly with lemon pepper and parsley. Bake 30 minutes. If desired sprinkle mushrooms around chicken. Bake 10 minutes longer, until chicken is tender.

John is making dinner tonight! He made a rub for country ribs.  I can't wait to try it. These little babies have been in the fridge all night covered with the rub. Check back later today for the recipe!  

{entertaining}

CUPIDS & COCKTAILS

There's nothing I love more than a great party. I especially love when the party is at my house! As a single gal I was always up for a fun happy hour at my place or some other creative party. I would look for any excuse to host a party. Now that I'm married I've got a partner in crime when it comes to entertaining! My husband John loves a good party as much as I do. I have to say . . . he is so wonderful when it comes to helping me plan and execute all the details. In February we'll be hosting "Cupids & Cocktails," a couples cocktail party. Some of the party details are already underway.  

This is my first attempt at designing my own invitations. My friend Kate over at Lime Design was my inspiration for these snazzy invites. She designs the most marvelous invitations, among other things. Kate designed both my engagement party invitations and my wedding invitations. I look forward to sharing more party details . . .especially the food and beverage menu! Stay tuned . . . 

{cooking tip} What to do with a "dead banana?"

Don't you just hate it when your bananas turn brown before you've eaten them all?? Here's a great idea! My Aunt Peg never throws away brown bananas. She just puts them in the freezer. When she has quite a few . . . she makes something delicious! Maybe she'll make my banana nut muffins! 

Brrrrrr . . .. . .it's a cold one!

Banana Nut Muffins!

With the weather being as cold as it is, what else is there to do, but COOK! These muffins were so easy and delicious. This recipe is from Easy Everyday Cooking.

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1 egg, beaten

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup mashed banans

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl; make a well in center. Mix milk, egg, oil, banana and walnuts in a small bowl. Pour mixture into well.  Mix batter just until moistened; do not overmix. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or until muffins are golden brown, about 15 minutes.