Sexy Joes for Swimsuit Season

Who among us hasn't decided this time of year that we'd better get busy and lose a few pounds before swimsuit/shorts season is in full swing? Here is a great little sandwich that comes in at only 331 calories and is actually very good. I don't mean to sound surprised, but you all know what I mean.......sometimes the stripped down versions of things just don't taste that good. This is from the Biggest Loser Cookbook. I think it makes a great supper with lemon sliced cucumbers, veggie sticks, or a slice of nice juicy melon......and of course a big glass of iced tea! This "good for you" meal is guaranteed to be painless.

Sexy Joes

Ingredients:

I pound of extra lean ground chicken....

(if you can't find it in the package most butchers at major grocery stores will grind chicken breasts for you)

1 tablespoon of white vinegar

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons honey

1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

2/3 cup chopped yellow onion

1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper

3/4 cup tomato sauce

3/4 cup chili sauce

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

4 whole-grain or whole- wheat buns

Mist a medium non-stick skillet with olive-oil spray ( or another cooking spray) and set on medium-high heat. Add the chicken. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, breaking into large chunks, for 4 to 6 minutes, or until no longer pink.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the vinegar, Worcestershire, honey, and hot-pepper sauce. Whisk to blend. Set aside.

Drain off any liquid that has accumulated in the pan. Add the onion, bell pepper, tomato sauce, chili sauce, chili powder, and the reserved vinegar mixture to the pan. Stir to blend. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat so mixture simmers. Cook for 20 minutes, or until the mixture is thickend

Spoon the mixture equally onto the opened buns. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

If you're like me and want to add a little mayo to spread on the buns be sure to add the extra calories........45 for 1/2 Tablespoon of mayonnaise.

Enjoy!

Today I'm linking with:

Foodie Friday, Friday Favorites, Friday Feasts, Food on Friday

Friday Follow, and Follow Me Friday

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Lilies of the Field

Lilies are so often associated with this time of year. I've attempted to grow them in my garden but have never been very successful, particularly here in the desert, so I've pretty much given up on that and now just enjoy them as potted plants while they last. They are so gorgeous, though, aren't they? These are photographed in their containers and placed in the garden among other flowers. I wanted to capture them before they lost all of their blooms.

I can never see a lily without thinking of the passage in Matthew 6:28 where Jesus tells us to consider the lilies of the field and how they grow. One version says to take notice of the lilies and how they grow. It goes on to say how they neither spin or toil but they are arrayed in such splendor.....more splendor than even King Solomon was arrayed in! He says how much more will our heavenly Father make sure we are clothed! Or how much more will he take care of our every need!

There is so much financial instability in our world right now, and there's always the temptation to worry or be concerned about so many things. Later on in the same chapter we're told that there is an answer to all of this though..........."for your Father knows that ye have need of all these things. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." (Matthew 6:32,33)

So whether you have a garden full of lilies, or just enjoy them in pots this time of year, it is wise to consider them or take notice of them because it is just one of the many examples of how much God loves us and how much He wants to take care of us.

Blessings,

Today I'm linking up with Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays and Today's Flowers. Be sure to take time to visit them!

Lemon Basil Pasta

Since we've been so busy around our home this week I've tried to keep things as simple in the meals department as I could. Last week I ran across a wonderful little recipe that I definitely think is a keeper. Right now I have plenty of basil and Italian parsley in the garden along with a few lemons still left from my father-in-law's Meyer Lemon tree, so I couldn't resist trying this. It turned out to be very quick and easy. My son especially loved it and my husband gave it a thumbs up ( but also added that he thinks an Italian sausage would be great on it.....of course he would say that). I found the recipe at Budget Confessions and I tweeked it just a bit and added the equivalent substitutions in dry herbs in case you want to use those instead of fresh. Serve this with garlic toast or breadsticks and a big green salad and you're set to go........ Oh and maybe an Italian sausage or two. :)

Lemon Basil Pasta

Ingredients:

16 fresh basil leaves, finely sliced

(or 1 1/2 tsps. dried basil)

2 tsps. Italian parsley, finely chopped

(or 1 tsp. dried parsley flakes)

Zest of 1 lemon

Juice of 1 lemon

2 1/2 Tbps butter, preferably unsalted

2 1/2 Tbps extra virgin olive oil

1 tsps salt

8 oz. Angel Hair pasta

Coarse ground black pepper

Grated Parmesan cheese

Black olives for garnish

Italian parsley for garnish (optional)

To Make:

In a large bowl put basil, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and extra virgin olive oil. Prepare angel hair pasta as on package. In the meantime melt butter and add to other ingredients in bowl. Mix well. When pasta is ready, drain in collander then add to bowl. Take tongs and repeatedly lift the pasta to coat evenly. Serve immediately adding salt and pepper to taste and topping with Parmesan cheese and black olives.

Today I'm linking with these parties so be sure to check them out :

Foodie Friday, Friday Food, Food on Fridays Friday Favorites, Follow Me Friday, Friday Follow

My Spring Breaks

Spring cleaning around here this week. Probably going to be next week too.....you see I'm trying to finish up a couple of furniture painting projects at the same time. I know, it's not that smart to combine the two but that's how it's working out. ( Will post about the projects soon) The cleaning part is not my favorite thing to do but I LOVE how everything looks and feels when it's done! It's an absolutely beautiful Spring day around here though, and I don't want to be inside ALL day so I'm thinking a girl needs a break to go sit at the park for a few minutes, watch the ducks, and just enjoy it all. So that's exactly where this girl will be when lunchtime comes around today. In the meantime I better get busy, hadn't I?

Today I'm linking with these great sites so be sure and stop by:

Outdoor Wednesday with Susan at A Southern Daydreamer

Watery Wednesday

Takin' Care of Business.....Photo Business that Is

I'm often asked to post more of my Scrapbook Pages so in the future I will try to do that on a regular basis. I've also been asked to do tutorials on my digital scrap booking techniques but I don't foresee myself doing that........there are so many great ones on the Internet already. As anyone can see, though, I do have my own style......very simple, not too cluttered.....most of the time designed to chronicle and tell the story of my family's life during each year. I like to focus on the photographs without too many frills and doo-dads. You can check out other pages I've posted by going to "Scrapbooking" under "What Would You Like to Read?" in my sidebar. I'm always admiring all types of styles of scrapbook pages, and have learned so much from so many talented designers. But ultimately I think it's best to go with your own style........ and in my case I like to actually get pages done! It doesn't really count if all your gorgeous layouts are still in your head! In lieu of any tutorials, however, if anyone has any questions about my techniques you can e-mail me (address on the sidebar) and I'll certainly get back to you.

Here are two pages from a trip we took a couple of years ago to beautiful Prescott, Arizona. It's about an hour and a half north of the Phoenix area, and among other things, has some of the best antique stores and shoppes in the country. Here's a short snippet of that trip I captured one afternoon while we were there.

And as you can see, I like to throw in a little whimsy on occasion! We never found out who the man was but you just wouldn't believe how much he was enjoying his ice cream cone on that hot day in June! :)

Life gets busy and our weeks go by so quickly, and that being said, I'd still like to encourage you to find some time this week to do a few scrapbook pages. If you're like me you took a LOT of Easter photos over this past weekend......take a few minutes to do something with them, whether its adding them to your scrapbooks, making a mosaic with them or simply getting them off your camera and into an "Easter 2010" file on your computer. You know you'll be glad you did.

Enjoy your week,

Today I'm linking with everyone at:

Scrappy Saturday

Motivate Me Monday

Mosaic Monday

Market Yourself Monday

The Easter Song

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This will definitely bring back memories for many of you.....it certainly does for me. This is a live concert from 1982 with the late singer songwriter Keith Green. Be blessed while you enjoy this powerful video as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Today I'm linking with Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays. Join them for more inspiring posts on this lovely Easter Sunday!

Bacon Quiche Tarts on Easter Morning

Here's a scrumptious little recipe that I got from my cousin Debbie. They're little quiches made in a muffin tin.....and as an added bonus they can be made ahead of time, reheated, and they taste just as wonderful! I think they're particularly good for Holiday breakfasts or brunch buffets. That's why ever since I got this from her I've been making them for our Easter morning breakfast. Just serve with a quick fruit salad or a pretty little dish of melon cubes. Be sure to bake plenty because, believe me...... no one is going to be satisfied with just one.

I don't think there's anything more refreshing on a warm Spring or Summer morning than to serve glasses of iced water with lemon and orange wedges!

Speckled eggs on the table, all ready for hiding later in the afternoon. If you'd like to know how to make these you can find the directions here on the Southern Living website.

Debbie's Bacon Quiche Tarts

Ingredients

1 8 oz. package cream cheese

5 tsp milk

2 large eggs

1/2 cup of shredded cheese

2 Tbsp chopped green pepper

1 Tbsp chopped onion

2 tubes refrigerated crescent rolls

(there are 8 in each tube, you will have 4 left over for other purposes)

6 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled and divided evenly into two parts

*Beat cream cheese and milk until smooth. Add eggs, cheese, green pepper, onion and mix well. Separate dough and mold into greased muffin cups. Sprinkle half of bacon crumbles evenly into each cup then pour egg mixture over the bacon. Top with remaining bacon. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until knife comes out clean. Serve warm. Makes 1 dozen.

* Filling and bacon crumbles can be made ahead of time and kept refrigerated overnight.....then in the morning all you have to do is mold the dough into the muffin cups, fill, and bake.

ENJOY!

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Today I'm linking with Foodie Friday, Food on Friday, Friday Feasts,

Follow me Friday , Friday's Favorite , Friday Follow

and Tablescape Thursday

Easter Wordless Wednesday

May your Easter be filled with Joy

Today I'm linked with Wordless Wednesday, Five Minutes for Mom and Extraordinary Mothers . Be sure to drop by these sites to enjoy more Wordless Wednesday entries.

Vintage Easter Party

This is simply Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit out for a Saturday stroll. Except, I imagine, this isn't just an ordinary Saturday......this is on a Saturday before Easter. They've been gathering goodies for their Easter dinner. Mrs. Rabbit has not been able to resist picking lovely yellow flowers for the table, while her husband has loaded up his basket with big fat juicy carrots. As they walk they talk casually, intimately, comfortably, as only a husband and wife can. Their hearts are full as they think about their home, their large rambunctious family, the wondrous Spring they're surrounded by, and the wonderful gift the entire world has been given.
He is Risen!

Happy Eastertime

Today I'm joining Joan for the Vintage Easter Party @ Anything Goes Here. Be sure to drop by and join in the fun!

Easter Bunny Cake

Back in the 80's I picked up this cookbook at a used book sale. It was first published in 1966 and it turned out to have so many great ideas in it. I've used it over and over through the years. The nice thing about this is that while all of these cakes are made with mixes, they can easily be adapted to use with homemade cakes too. Just use your own favorite recipes. I've seen copies several times over the years and they're well worth picking up if you run across one.

I've made this Bunny cake for so many Easter dinners. It's so simple to make and turns out looking great AND tasting great every time. Guaranteed.

Easter Bunny Cake

Bake any layer Betty Crocker layer cake mix in two round layer pans (8 or 9 1/2 inch) as directed on the box. Or use your own favorite recipe. Cool. Cut one layer in half. Put both halves together with a prepared frosting (either a can of Betty Crocker White or Cream Cheese Frosting.........or again, use your own recipe if you like.) Stand cake upright on cut edge.

With a sharp knife cut a notch about a third of the way around the semicircle, forming the rabbits head. Save cutout piece for the tail. secure in place with a wooden pick. Frost the entire rabbit with remaining frosting. Sprinkle generously with shredded coconut.

Make ears of white paper; color inside pink with a crayon or colored pencil. Use pink jelly beans or gumdrops for eyes and nose. Form an attractive nest around the bunny with tinted green coconut ( see instructions below) and place a few Easter Eggs (jelly beans) around him.

Freeze the other layer for later use, or make another bunny.......color the inside of his ears blue and you'll have a " Mr. and Mrs." for your Easter dinner table.

Tinted Coconut:

Place one cup of coconut in a a jar or plastic bag. Mix 1 or 2 drops of food coloring with 1 teaspoon of water. Add to coconut. Screw on lid or fold close bag and shake until coconut is uniformly colored.

Here's a photo of 2 year-old granddaughter Kylie the first year she discovered the bunny.

Enjoy!

Today I'm linking with these great sites....Just click on the names for the link and be sure to check out their cute buttons in my sidebar!

Friday Follow

Foodie Friday

Friday Feasts

Friday Food

Vintage Recipe Thursday

Inspired on Friday

I'm Lovin' It Fridays

Show and Tell Friday

Funky Junks Saturday Nite Special

Strut Your Stuff Easter/Spring

Making the World Cuter Monday

Tasty Tuesday