Easy/Fast Cherry Cobbler "a la mode"

Doesn't this look yummy?????? It tastes
even better & it's the easiest, fastest dessert
to do. We went to a dinner party at some
friends house tonite and this is what I brought.

They had us make individual pizzas, with a
huge assortment of toppings and our
great host/chef barbecued them in his wonderful
outdoor Bar-B-Q pit/grill restaurant type patio
(which he built himself I might add)
He & his wife are amazing and their food
absolutely delicious. That was probably the
BEST pizza I've ever had.....Wow!

Anyway sorry about digressing....This Cherry
Cobbler topped with vanilla bean ice cream
(and it could be apple or just about any
type of fruit probably) recipe came from a
dear friends mother.
It only has 3 ingredients to boot.....

Recipe

1 reg. size can Comstock pie filling (cherry
or apple)
1/2 box of white or yellow cake mix
1/2 c. butter (1 cube) melted


In a 8"x8" square pan (that has been buttered or
sprayed with Pam) pour the can of pie filling into
it.

Sprinkle 1/2 the box of cake mix evenly over the
pie filling.

Pour approx. 1/2 c. (1 whole cube) of melted
butter as evenly as possible over the cake
mix (I used a Tblsp to make it easier)

Bake @ 350F. for 25min.
This is how it looked after coming out of the oven.
Add the "a la mode" ice cream and that's it......

NOTE: (I made some changes for this recipe)
**********I used a 11 x 7 1/2" glass pan because I
knew I needed more servings than an 8x8 would
yield.
**********I used a large can (30 oz.) of Pie filling
and all of the cake mix (I didn't want any left
over)
**********I used the same amount of melted
butter as the recipe

***ALERT....FREE GIVEAWAY COMING****
*****************SOON*********************
**Check back often so you don't miss out!!!!

Easy/Favorite "Chicken Tetricini" Recipe

As promised a few days ago (I made this for a new
mom & dad in our church) I told you I would give
you this great recipe for "Chicken Tetricini."
So here it is....

I got this a number of years ago from my wonderful
friend, Ingrid. I have a number of her recipes and all
I have tried have been fantastic. Needless to say she
is a great cook....and doesn't she have a beautiful name...

Anyway I thought you should have a chance to try this
easy & great tasting main dish. It's truly one that
I make at least once a month. We eat a lot of boneless,
skinless, chicken and this is a delicious recipe to use it in.

Recipe

1/4 c. margarine (I used 1 cube= 1/2 c.)
1/4 c. flour (maybe add more as needed to thicken)
1/2 tsp.salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 c. Chicken broth (I used 1 14oz. can=2c.) = extra sauce
1 c. Whipping cream (also increased this to 2 cups)
3/4 c. Real Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 pkg. Spaghetti (16oz.) I increased this to 24oz.
2 cans chicken or 2 (cubed) chicken breasts

Boil water. Add spaghetti. In another bowl, (I used a
sauce pot) melt margarine over low heat Add flour to
make a paste. Mix in salt & pepper, & chicken
broth. Add whipping cream. Stir.

Add chopped chicken. When spaghetti is ready, drain
& put in serving bowl. Add sauce & stir until combined.
Sprinkle fresh grated Parmesan cheese on top & stir.

****optional: add some fresh (finely chopped)
parsley or dried parsley flakes.

*******GIVEAWAY ALERT........COMING SOON
Keep checking back... Can't wait to give something
away!!!

Another "Sneak Peek" of Santa's Gift Shoppe (STACKERS w/Vinyl Lettering)

Here is another "Sneak Peek" at some of the
items you'll see at this years "Santa's Gift Shoppe
Boutique" (Fri. Dec. 4th 10-7pm & Sat. Dec. 5th
10-4pm)

The above item is called a "STACKER" (you
can put whatever phrase or words of vinyl
lettering that will fit on it)

This particular one is painted "Italian Sage" and
was a gift for a darling young couple in my church who
just had their first child (a baby boy a few weeks ago)
I took dinner into them last night (Chicken Tetricini)
I'll give you guys the recipe in one of the next
posts...it's delicious...(got it from a wonderful friend)
and got to see him... he is sooo cute....and he sleeps a
lot, too...his mom said

These "STACKERS" are a GREAT way to put
important stats and memorable moments
on home decor items for all to share in....
sharing some Family History, if you will....
(another love of mine)

These "STACKERS" are more in keeping with the
Holiday Season & have cute sayings that are
"whimsical"...but isn't that just like the
holiday season..a bit magical...wondrous...

This "STACKER" (above) is one of my Favorites....
I love the sentiment as well as envisioning the
sacred event.....Also the ribbon is a really pretty
silver & complements the black...

This "STACKER" (above) is very contemporary...

I really like the saying on this one a lot as well... The

color on the wood is "Butter Pecan" w/ Black

Satin Ribbon..It could go pretty much anywhere

in your home...or if you wanted to give it as a gift....

Last of all....This is another take on the "Holiday

Season"...It's just the colors are reversed red/

green/red but you could put any "Christmas"/

Holiday Greeting etc. sayings on these...they

are very versatile....

***************GIVEAWAY ALERT*************

*********KEEP CHECKING BACK WITH US....

SOON WE WILL BE HAVING OUR 1st

GIVE AWAY .......A chance to receive a NICE

GIFT FOR YOURSELF (or to give to someone else)

HOMEMADE ALMOND JOY BARS

Wow.....These are great!...These taste like
the wonderful Almond Joy Bars we had when
we were kids....They still have those....They were
my mother's favorite.....

The roasted almonds are out of this world mixed
with the sweet coconut, chocolate, and graham cracker
crust...Wow...It's a great dessert. The recipe
comes from Better Homes & Gardens magazine...

******I did a couple of things that you should not do.
I used a smaller size pan (7x11x2) because that's all
I had available....I found that it made the top layer
of chocolate so thick I had a harder time cutting them.


RECIPE
2 c. graham crackers
1 1/2 c. whole almonds
1/3 c. brown sugar
2/3 c. butter, melted
1 14oz. pkg. flaked coconut
1 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk
18 oz. dark chocolate pieces, melted


The photo above shows the whole almonds before
they go into the oven to roast...
*********To roast nuts spread them in a
single layer in a shallow pan. Bake in a
pre-heated 350F. oven for 5-10 min. or
until nuts are slightly golden brown, stirring
once or twice.

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Place graham crackers
crumbs, 1/2 c. of the almonds, & brown
sugar in a food processor or blender. Cover
& process until almonds are finely chopped.
Add butter, cover & pulse 4 or 5 times or
until mixture is well combined. Press crumb
mixture into bottom of an ungreased 13x9x2 inch
baking pan. Bake in preheated oven for 12 min.
Cool on wire rack.


2. Combined coconut and sweetened condensed
milk in a medium bowl. Spread mixture evenly
over crusted crust. Sprinkle remaining almonds
evenly over coconut layer. Bake 10 min.

****To melt chocolate pieces, place into a
micro-safe bowl. Microwave @ 50% power
(medium) about 3 min. or until chocolate
is melted & smooth stirring once or twice...

3. Spread melted chocolate evenly over top of baked
mixture . Cool completely in pan on wire rack or chill
in refrigerator until the chocolate is set. Cut into bars.
Enjoy.........

To store: Place bars in a single layer (in an airtight
container); cover. Refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze
for up to 3 months. Let stand 30 min. before serving.

"Sneak Peek" of the Vinyl Lettering on Italian Stones for the Christmas Boutique

I wanted to give you a "sneak peek" into some
of the projects we are working on for the "Santa's
Gift Shoppe Christmas Boutique" this year......

Fri. Dec. 4th 10am-7pm,
Sat. Dec. 5th 10am-4pm

If you would like to come...just email me @
Santasgiftshoppe1@hotmail.com & leave
your email address, or regular mailing address
if you do not use email & I will get back to you
asap.

These make absolutely the best Christmas,
Birthdays, Anniversaries, House-Warming,
Wedding, (YOU name it kind of gift) there is.
All different price ranges, & sizes...... Something
for everybody........

........an added bonus I found out last year (when
customers let me know)....you could SEND them in

the FLAT RATE boxes from the Post Office)
just wrap them well in bubble-wrap & into the

FLAT RATE BOX....&....OFF THEY GO.......

No matter how heavy they are...I had one

lady send a few at a time to her daughters...

Great Idea!!!

These have only been a small sample...There are

many other sayings, colors of Italian Stones,

etc. to see....Hope you can come and see

for yourself. P.S. One of these stones will be

1 of 6 Free GIVEAWAY GIFTS @ the Boutique...

Double Chocolate Banana Bread

If you are anything like me, you find you have a lot
of bananas that never seem to get eaten up fast
enough before they get a little TOO RIPE. That's
where having a selection of recipes that need
bananas comes in handy...& maybe your tired of the
same old banana recipes (however I have one that
is fabulous & hope to share it with you closer to the
holidays)

Helpful Tip: You can put any over ripe bananas
in your freezer and use them when you are ready)
Make sure you peel them before you freeze
them..Then when you are ready to use them...
put them in the microwave for about 30-45 sec.
(depending on how many you have to defrost)
and mash them up....Really easy....


This one my daughter sent me, that she found on the
Internet....There are quite a few out there.....
The original comes from a magazine called Cooking
Pleasures....& this on is from the Sister's Cafe...
She told me she thought they tasted like the Big
Beautiful Chocolate Muffins from Costco....
She loved them....

If you like chocolate, with the taste of banana
bread, and some chocolaty chips thrown in
for good measure..then I think you might like these.

The Recipe says it makes 1 lg. loaf...but I prefer
to make 8 smaller loaves ( so I can give them to
friends & neighbors) It would be a great after-school
treat (for the kids) along with some milk as well.....

In making 8 smaller loaves I get to use one of my
"Favorite Kitchen Items"......My "8 small
loaves at once pan"......I think it was a Martha
Stewart pan that I found at Kmart.....
(SEE PHOTO BELOW)

I use this pan a lot....Especially with all the
Holiday Baking which I do for the "Santa's
Gift Shoppe Boutique," as well as my own
family holiday baking....(which I do a lot of)

Recipe
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 1/4 c. mashed bananas
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Heat the oven to 350F. Spray loaf (8x4) or loaves pan
with cooking spray.

Beat sugar, eggs, & oil in large bowl at medium speed
until combined. Beat in banana & vanilla at low speed.

Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt in a
medium bowl; beat into banana mixture at low speed
just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Spoon batter into pan. For 1 loaf bake approx. 60-70
min. or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes
out clean. Cool 10 min. Remove from pan; Cool
completely on a wire rack.

******If you are using an 8 loaf pan (like

I was) then only have the bread in the oven

approx. 15-20 minutes (each oven is

different) so keep watch on them so they

don't burn....& check them with a toothpick.

Easy Tips for transitioning Spring/Summer into Fall

Here we are...already into Sept/Back to School!!...
It's still pretty warm here (90's) but I absolutely LOVE
the starting of the coming season....The crisp Fall....
mornings and beautiful colors that come with
Fall, and then the HOLIDAY Season.....
Thanksgiving, Christmas , & the New
Year.........and of course our Santa's Gift Shoppe
HOME Boutique....

Mark your calendars for:
Fri. Dec. 3rd (10am - 7pm) &
Sat. Dec. 4th (10am - 4pm)

I know some of you don't like the Holidays because
of so much more work you have to do & the pressure,
but maybe I can offer some Helpful Tips that make
changing the decor in/out of your home a little less
challenging & time consuming to do.

The Top Photo of the Spring Wreath just shows
you a way (that I use) to try & make the Spring/
Summer into Fall transition easier for me to do......
and about 1/2 hr. to do the whole porch.....

I love these...They are some of my Favorite Storage
Containers....You should be able to get them @
Walmart, Target, Michael's during the Holiday
Season or the "After Holiday Sales".....They
are worth it...


*******I use a wreath container to hold my
Fall wreath in the Spring & Spring..........
and my Spring/Summer wreath in the Fall.
It also saves on the wear & tear of the wreath
itself.....So in a very little amount of time I
switch the wreaths on the porch.....&.....viola....
"It's starting to look like Fall on the porch"
This Photo shows I do the same thing with
Table Runners/Cloths.....Have a special place
for them in the linen closet or wherever.... so you
won't have to run around trying to remember where
you put them last year......if they are in the same spot
all the time........ That's one of the benefits of
organizing... It Saves Time....& I love that.....


This Photo.....shows the "Before" or....
our Spring and Summer porch.....

Then with just a few changes of Fall flowers
into the planters and changing the wreaths
you have a "Welcoming for Fall" as well as a
warm & friendly welcoming to your friends..
As in the Photo Below....."The After"

This Photo shows the Fall flowers/colors that

were used in each planter....

This Photo is a Close-up of the coordinating

(matching) Fall flowers/colors used in the

wreath as well....

This Photo shows how easy it is to find

the Fall flowers.......to change with the

Spring flowers...when stored in a plastic

tub that has Spring Flowers written on one

side and Fall Flowers on the other (see

bottom Photo)

So....they are easy to "see" what's in them....

because of the "clear"plastic .....and they

keep the bugs out too!!!!!!!!!!These are one

of my Favorite Storage Containers...

I hope these "ideas and suggestions" have

helped you in some way......even to start storing

things in plastic/see through tubs to help

organize your garage or storage area.... Let

me know what you think......

Chocolate Oatmeal Coconut Cookies

Now that it's "back to school" time for the kids
I thought this recipe might be a great way to say
"Welcome Home Kids" from a hard day at school.
This is a chewy yummy recipe that is from Ardys
Smith's collection in a recent Taste of Home article.

The blend of Coconut, Oatmeal, brown sugar &
a small piece of a Hershey's Bar is "soooo delish"
(as Rachel Ray would say) Those flavors just
mesh together for a Chewy Yummy Treat for the kids
.....or us (if we get there first) Maybe just set some aside
for a treat for yourself .

Anyway these would be perfect anytime. They
are crisp but chewy. The only change I would make
would be to add some nuts (walnuts or pecans....
whatever you or your family likes best)

Actually these taste so good you even could make these
without the chocolate on top (but in every life some
chocolate must fall.....right?) Even if it's on a cookie.....

RECIPE

1 c. butter softened
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. quick-cooking oats
1 c. flaked coconut
5 milk chocolate candy bars
(1.55 oz. each)
3/4 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light
& fluffy. Beat in the egg & vanilla. Combine the flour,
baking soda & salt; gradually add to creamed mixture
& mix well. Beat in oats & coconuts.... & walnuts if you
want them.

Roll into 1" balls. Place 2" apart on ungreased
baking sheets. Bake @ 350F. for 10-12 min. or until
lightly browned. Break each candy bar into 12 pieces;
press a chocolate piece into the center of each warm
cookie.

Make sure to have some cold milk close by.
ENJOY them with your kids!!! Make a special
moment together & take time out of your busy
day for the most important thing in life......
your family..........

Quilling for Scrapbooking, Cards, & Ornaments

This is a sample of what "Quilling" is.........

It's definitely a lost art....It's quite beautiful &

unique all at the same time.

It's the "Art" of rolling thin strips of paper,

to form a shape, thus a design....& making

it into something..beautiful...like Betsy does.

Betsy K. is our "Quilling Elf" and we will have

a nice selection of her quilling to choose from @

Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique (Dec. 4th, 5th)

****Want to get on our mailing list so you

don't miss out on free giveaways....free

raffle prizes, etc.??? Leave an email for me @

Santasgiftshoppe1@hotmail.com & I'll send

you one a few weeks before Dec. 4th.......&

you can get in on all the fun.

As seen in the above photos...there are words

for handmade cards or phrases to make a

scrapbook page "POP".

Tip***You just take a bit of glue....put it on

a toothpick...put it on the quilling and

place on the pg. or card you want it to go &

hold for a few seconds......It's done...

The Snowflake Ornaments are really pretty.

They glisten as the light hits them.

There are many "smaller quillings" to choose from

such as teacher items, seashore, nature, hearts,

etc. They would add alot to a "scrapbook page" or

"handmade card"....

The prices are lower than reasonable...especially

the smaller items...when you look at the stores (they

charge so very much more for the same kind of items)

Most "Quillings" now....are in museums dating back

from the 19th century...but it's coming back...

Thanks to people with a love of creativity and have

the patience to make them....It's a time consuming

art...as are most hand crafted items made with LOVE.

Its origin... dates back to the 16th century...
but some believe it started long before that.
The items that have been found...suggest that.....
monks & nuns started it to duplicate ornate metal
designs (they had seen) but had to make them out

of edges of paper because of the cost..... So, now

you know a little more about Quilling than you probably

wanted....but as Martha would say "It's a Good Thing."

One-Stroke Ornaments

One of my Passions is One-Stroke Painting..

These are Hand-painted One-Stroke

Ornaments....that will be @ my Home

Boutique (Santa's Gift Shoppe

Boutique)

If you are going to be in the Fresno/Clovis

area of California (Dec. 3rd & 4th, 2010)

come join the fun/Prize Giveaways too!

*** IF INTERESTED IN COMING TO

THE BOUTIQUE email me @

santasgiftshoppe1@hotmail.com

& I'll email you directions & include

you on our GUEST LIST.

Keep them as a keepsake for yourself or

give them as a gift to someone else..

They make a lovely gift.

****WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAINT ONE-STROKE???? Donna

Dewberry shows you how....

HERE IS A LINK TO PAINTING

ONE-STROKE****CLICK HERE

Chocolate Mint Walnut Brownies

I have had such a Great response........to the

Chocolate /Mint Brownies I posted in July

I thought I'd post another one ..........but this

recipe is a lot Faster...& Easier......

These are one of the food items that will

be at my house at the Santas Gift Shoppe

Boutique coming up..(Dec. 3rd & 4th 2010)

These taste incredible........Mint & Chocolate

just are the BEST combination together....

I found this recipe on the back of a Brownie

Mix a very long time ago..and every time I make

them for an event or party....they always are a

hit......So, now you can get all the compliments

by making these little gems.....

Recipe

1 box "Duncan Hines" 21oz. Brownie Mix

(Chewy Fudge) Follow instructions

on the back of the box

1 16 oz. can vanilla frosting

a few drops Green food coloring (to your preference)

or ("icing colors" Kelly Green) a toothpick dab

a few drops of Peppermint extract flavoring

1 c. walnuts chopped in lg chunks (optional)

1 c. chocolate sprinkles (optional)

Follow directions on brownie mix for "fudgy"

brownies (be careful to read about metal/glass

pans vs. dark & non-stick pans...timing is a

little different)......

While brownies are cooling in the pan.....take

the can of frosting and put it in the microwave

(about 10 sec or so) to make it more spreadable...

***You do not want it liquidity....

****You can do the next step right in the can if

you want to......

Add a few drops of peppermint extract and

a few drops of green food coloring/or toothpick

dab of kelly green "Icing Colors" to the can of

frosting & stir until you get the green you like...

After brownies have completely cooled....spread

frosting with a "beveled spatula" (this is the

Best kitchen tool to spread frostings I have

found......It looks like a bent long knife without

the sharp edges..)

Add chocolate sprinkles on top (if desired)

Look at both photos (above) to see which you like

better...Enjoy......

Chocolate Caramel Thumbprint Cookies

Don't these look good??? When I saw them

I knew I had to give the recipe a try...It's adapted

from Cook's Country but the recipe has gone

through a few changes....I increased a few of the

ingredients so the recipe would turn out better...

The recipe makes approx. 20-24 cookies.....

(granted....not too many but well worth it)

Recipe

1 c. flour
1/3 c. cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. salt
8 Tbsp. butter, softened
2/3 c. sugar
1 lg egg, separated, plus one more egg white
2 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. pecans.....chopped fine
(you could also use walnuts)
20 caramels, approx. (I used Kraft)
4 Tbsp. heavy cream (I used reg. cream & it
was fine)

Pre-heat oven to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets
with parchment paper or Silpat liners. (These

liners are 1 of the "Best Kitchen Items" I have

found...they are from France & make clean-up

a breeze)....Combine flour, cocoa powder, & salt

in bowl...set aside.

With a mixer on medium high speed, beat butter
& sugar until fluffy....(abt. 2 minutes)
Add egg yolk, milk, & vanilla and mix until blended.
Reduce speed to low & add flour mixture until
combined... Refrigerate dough until firm, (at
least 1 hr.)

Whisk egg whites in another bowl until frothy. Place
Pecans in another bowl.......

One at a time, roll dough into 1" balls, dip in egg
whites, then roll in pecans.......(This is a bit messy
but it's worth it)..........Place balls 2" apart on
cookie sheets. Using a teaspoon measure, make an
indentation in the center of each ball (like a thumb-
print)

Bake until set.....about 10-12 min. (mine took 12)

Meanwhile, microwave the caramels & cream in a
bowl, stirring occasionally, until smooth....(abt.1-2 Min)

Once cookies are removed from the oven, gently
press existing indentations with teaspoon measure
once again. Fill each with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon caramel
mixture..... Cool 5 min. then transfer to wire rack &
cool completely........Enjoy these.... they are delectable.....

Monte Cristo Sandwiches

I was thinking about what to have for dinner
tonite....I wanted to make something light....but filling..

Monte Cristo Sandwiches came to mind...........
These are sooo good.......I was first introduced
to these little babies years ago in a Make-a-Mix
Cookbook.......I then found them again at Disney-
Land (in the Blue Bayou Restaurant) at the
Pirates of the Caribbean Ride.

They're the best....especially with the homemade
Boysenberry/Strawberry Jam (one of the
jams that will be at Santa's Gift Shoppe Boutique
Dec. 4th & 5th this year)....You've got to try them..
This is my own take off of them......The flavors of the
luncheon meats, cheese, confectioners' sugar, & jam
blends together and melts in your mouth.....Yumm!!!!

RECIPE
12 slices white bread
6 slices ham
6 slices turkey
6 slices Swiss cheese (original recipe says 12 but 6
tastes great)
Mayonnaise to cover 12 slices of bread
1 c. Complete Pancake Mix (original recipe uses
Make-a-Mix batter...but this is easier I think)
1 c. milk
2 eggs

Take 2 eggs, milk, & pancake mix and beat until
smooth.... Set aside....

Take 12 slices of bread and spread mayo on each.
Place a slice of Swiss cheese, ham & turkey on each.

Cut off crust (save for birds, or freeze for stuffing)
on all sides....and cut into 2 diagonal pieces for
each sandwich.....

***You can use a skillet @ 350 degrees or a
frying pan & put it medium to hot (just keep
an eye on it) Put some butter in a warm frying
pan so sandwiches will not stick.

Dip each triangle sandwich into egg mixture.
Place in frying pan or skillet. Watch carefully
until done (a minute or two) on each side or
until swiss cheese is melted.

To Finish: Garnish with confectioners' sugar
& jam on top of each sandwich.....

Tip: To make confectioners' sugar look like
a dusting....use a shaker or very small strainer
& tap sides as sugar is placed over sandwiches.

They are great for brunch, lunch or dinner.....

Fast/Easy Salmon Fillets

This is a Fast/Easy Dinner....I buy A Wild

Salmon Fillet Slab (usually at Winco or Food

Maxx for about $6.00) It feeds about 3-4 persons

(depending on the size you want)

I start with a frying pan warmed up (so that you

will not have to use very much canola oil) I use

the oil decanter (in the above photo) I love it.......

It's one of my favorite kitchen items.....I got

it at Linen 'n Things but I'm sure they sell them

(for about $4-$5 at any Kitchen store)

Recipe

1 large salmon fillet (salted/peppered)

1/4 c. Parsley (fresh or I used dried parsley flakes)

1/4 c. lemon juice (I used lemon juice in a bottle)

1 lemon (sliced for garnish)

1 sprig dill (for garnish) optional

I sprinkle a few slots of canola oil over the frying
pan and because it's hot just swing the oil around
in the pan to cover the bottom of it....

TIP: (A large salmon fillet will cut into

smaller pieces easier after the fish is cooked)

Salt & Pepper the fillet...Sprinkle some parsley

flakes in the pan and place the salmon fillet on top

(Fleshy side down) for a few minutes to seer juices

in....flip over (I use a pancake turner) on the skin

side & fry a few minutes more....

At this point I add some lemon juice &

continue to finish the fillet until done....Flipping a

couple more times (Not very much longer)

until done......

TIP: Roll the lemon on the counter a few times

back & forth before cutting & it will produce

more juice.

***The salmon is done when it FLAKES

when a fork is put to it....Enjoy!!!! It's

delicious.......

My Craft Room (organized for a change!)

Sorry the pictures aren't the best!!

I thought I'd give you a look at a seldom seen
sight....One of my craftrooms/workrooms...organized &

clean..before the Christmas production moves in...

and the elves get going in full production mode..

THIS IS THE BEFORE PICTURE..
and soon there won't be anywhere to walk or see any
workspace on the tabletops.

I hope to have a BIG Christmas in July
GIVEAWAY...& maybe give you some
ideas for Christmas/or show some projects
I'm working on.

Anyway MAKE IT A GREAT DAY TODAY!!!!

Fast & Easy Homemade Salsa #2 (Medium)

Sorry it's been more than a couple of days

since I last did a post.....To catch you up.....our

freezer bit the dust......Filled to the brim with food

& fruit pulp for my jams, I was forced to do

another 60 more jams so that the pulp would not

be wasted.....So now we are at 206 jars and counting!

Now for today's blog....I have had so many people

log on to the blogspot for the recipe of the Homemade

Salsa #1....that I thought I would give Homemade

Salsa Recipe #2... to everybody as well....

As I told you before.........I wasn't much in the way of

Peppers or otherwise.....but after a Home Canning

Seminar....I decided to try Home Canning.....& now

I want to can everything....(I'll be letting you know

how that turns out in the future)

As my mother taught me about cooking & baking..

mainly from scratch....(because that was her

generation.)..I admire & appreciate all she taught

me......however, I have so many things I love to do, I

try & balance, Family, Family History, (Crafts

for the Christmas Boutique in Dec) Canning,

Scrapbooking, etc.. so when I can find a Recipe that

gets the job done faster & easier.... I do it that way.

Which leads us into today's FAST & EASY

HOMEMADE SALSA #2 (Medium Hot)The

photos above show you the end result with corn

chips, and how it looks in jars (Home-Canned)

After doing the 1st Homemade Salsa (which you have

to boil, peel, & cut the tomatoes into pieces.....) I decided

to try & find an easier way...which I did.....

This particular Salsa #2 is a little hotter than #1 &

my friends have told me (that are Salsa connoisseurs

in my opinion) that it isn't that hot...So let's just

call it MEDIUM HOT......but Faster & Easier

than Salsa #1...

RECIPE (SALSA #2...MEDIUM HOT)

6 cans (14.5 oz. each) petite diced tomatoes or

6 lbs. fresh tomatoes (about 18 medium)

(but the easier way are the cans)

1/2 c. white or cider vinegar

1 pouch Mrs. Wages Salsa Tomato Mix (from Walmart)

it has a mixture of onion, green bell pepper,

Jalapeno, Chili Peppers, Garlic, Salt, & other

Spices

1 c. chopped cilantro

Using the canned tomatoes, open

& pour all 6 cans of tomatoes into a pot....

*(all the liquid in the can as well)

Combine tomatoes, vinegar, salsa mix,

& cilantro & bring to a boil.

Stir occasionally...Reduce heat &

simmer 10 minutes...

TO CAN: Pour hot salsa into clean,

sterilized pint canning jars, leaving 1/2"

head space. Cap each jar when filled.

PROCESS 40 MINUTES in boiling

water bath...

Test Jars for airtight seals according to

manufacturer's directions. (Can be stored

up to a year) If jars do not completely

seal, refridgerate & consume within 1

week....ENJOY & SHARE THE RECIPE..