A Belated Birthday Wish From CA!

This is a couple days late because my internet connection at home mysteriously went out for a lil bit! :( 

August 25th was Libbi's birthday.  Libbi is the best friend that I've had forever.  We've known each other since we were like four years old!  We've done so many things together, been through so much and celebrated countless birthdays with each other.  We haven't celebrated together in years because we live in different states now.  :(

Since I cannot be there again this year...I'm wishing Libbi a Happy Birthday through my blog! Of course she got some goodies especially made for her by myself.  

The necklace I made her.

I've never made jewelry before.

This was my first attempt!

The necklace box after I painted it.

And after I added ribbon and tag.

And since Libbi is a mom now...

I can't send her something and not include a goodie for lil Penelope!

Hope you had a wonderful birthday, my dear friend!  Let's try to spend a birthday together one year soon. 

Happy Belated 27th Birthday, Libbi!!! 

xoxo

60 Years Young!

Today's my wonderful father's 60th Birthday!  I'm so excited because I get to celebrate with him this year since we're finally in the same state as each other on his special day. 

Check back later for an update of the day's festivities including pictures of the goodies I made for him!

HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY, DAD!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Sunday Night Dinner: Take 3!

I can't believe it's time to post a "Sunday Dinner" entry already.  This past week FLEW by and I'm thinking this next week will go just as fast since it's a four day work week for me. Woo hoo vacation here I come!!!

Enough rambling and more food talking.  

Tonight was a special night.  Why?  Well no special reason, but special because not only did I make dinner but I made an appetizer as well!  Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers began the evening and many more tasty things were to follow.

I made some delicious grilled chicken and steak for dinner tonight.  I marinated them using some of my home grown parsley and basil along with a few other ingredients.  The chicken was tasty and from what I heard the steak was too.

Basil and Parsley

Basil Lemon Grilled Chicken

Grilled Steak

Along with the meat I made some Fluffy New Potatoes and per her suggestions I made extra to freeze!  I made them once before and regretted not making enough to keep to bake later.  I didn't make that mistake this time!

The mixings minus the potatoes

Now with the potatoes

And after baking! SO So so good!

To round out the meal I made fresh green beans sauteed with some minced home grown shallots.  MMM Tasty!

And the best part is that there are leftovers for lunch tomorrow! 

A Garden Update: 12 Weeks

After a couple months tending to my Spring garden, I have officially started the transition of preparing my Fall garden.  I can't wait to show you what I plant soon, but until then enjoy the changes I've made!  

I know that mint grows like a weed, but the planter I had it in wouldn't really let it get much bigger.  Also, my rosemary is rather small in comparision to the other herbs and I think it's due to the fact that it's completely shaded by the monster basil.  So...to solve both issues I bought a new windowbox liner and transplanted the two herbs.

All that's left in the container are the Sweet Baisl, Flat Leaf Parsley and Garlic Chives. Those three will soon be transplanted to the new container for Fall.  

Sweet Basil

Flat Leaf Parsley

Garlic Chives

Garlic 

Scallions

Jalapeno Plant

Tomato Plant

Strawberry Plant

The Strawberry Plant has been MIA from the weekly updates due to the fact that I thought it was done.  Done producing for the year and just growing like crazy.  I decided to prune it recently and a week later I notice that not only is it healthier, but it has fruit and flowers for more! 

Fruity Pebbles Marshmallow Treats!

Last week I introduced my take on marshmallow treats with Apple Jack Marshmallow Treats.  In that post I said I'd like to try ones made with Fruity Pebbles next.

Well... I just couldn't wait!  I was at Target and the ingredients were calling my name. They said, "Robyn, buy us and make us into a tasty treat!"  Hey - how could I resist now? I couldn't and I didn't! :)

The Marshmallows melting...

The Fruity Pebbles waiting for the melted goodness...

and the finished product!!!

They really are amazing.  Any suggestions on what to try next? Marshmallow were super cheap...

Jalapenos Are A-Okay with Roque!

Recently I gave my friend from work, Mike, some of my homegrown jalapenos for his birthday! 

He sent me pictures of some food he made with the edible gift I'd given him.

Here's a pizza that Mike added jalapenos to half of.

Before

After

And here's an omelette he added jalapenos to and turned into a breakfast burrito.

Both look absolutly amazing and I wish I was able to try both.  It's so nice to see my crops being used by my friends!  :)  

Mike - make me something yummy? Please!?!?!

Cooking With Friends!

Two of my friends came over on different nights this last week and on both nights I ended up making some amazingness.  Both items were so tasty, but completely different!

When Alison came over to watch some reality television, we made a homemade Mexican pizza.  I had some shredded chicken that I needed to use up so it was perfect!  

We spread beans on tortillas, added a little shredded mozzorella cheese, fresh corn cut off the cob, the chicken, a little more shredded Mexican blend cheese, sliced homegrown jalapenos and of course some MORE cheese!  Alison loves cheese and I love cheese so the more the better.  :)

Before baking.

After baking. Man oh man oh man!!!

A few nights later, Robin came over to finish watching another reality show that we'd started weeks ago and never had the chance to finish.  While watching we decided to make something sweet.  

I had some frozen White Chocolate and Macademia Nut cookie dough in the freezer so I preheated the oven and baked those.  While they were still a little gooey I took them out of the oven and put on a cooking rack.  

Two cute little, still warm cookies topped with small scoops of cookies and cream ice cream made our evening just a little bit better!  Who wouldn't want a homemade pazookie?

Heck I wanted more after finishing the bowl!!!  

Sunday Night Dinner: Take 2!

Like I said before, I love having a delicious dinner on Sunday Nights.  As much as I dread Sunday nights...I enjoy and look forward to dinner time!

Tonight I had the pleasure of having two friends over.  I made a new baked chicken dish (See recipe below) with a rice pilaf that I added my homegrown flat leaf parley to and garlic snap peas.  Yum! I loved it and it seemed like they did too!!!

Lemon Basil Chicken

1 c. fresh whole wheat bread crumbs
1 1/2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley (I grew mine.)
1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind
1 tbsp. minced fresh basil (I grew this too!
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. milk
Juice of 1 Lemon
6 chicken breast halves, skinned

Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl and mix. Combine milk and lemon juice. Dip chicken in mixture, then in bread crumb mixture to coat. Place chicken on baking sheet sprayed with non-stick vegetable coating. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes or until fork tender.

A Garden Update: 11 Weeks

My Spring Garden is almost done.  As sad as it is, I'm extremely happy with how well it's done.  This is the first time I've attempted to grow food on my own and I have to say it was quite successful.  I can't wait to start the Fall Garden very soon!

Sweet Basil

Flat Leaf Parsley

Upright Rosemary

Garlic Chives

Garlic

Scallions

Lettuce

The lettuce is done.

Since it started bolting it wasn't producing correctly anymore.

Jalapeno Plant

Tomato Plant

The tomato plant may appear to be a lot smaller than before.  Last weekend I decided it was time to prune it and remove any branch/leaf that was not bearing fruit. I took a couple clipping and am going to try to get them to root and start another plant or two.  It doesn't hurt to try!

Mint

Since I harvested my shallots and the cilantro and lettuce were bloting, my container has started to look empty.  It's a little sad, but at the same time I'm excited for what I will plant next!  

Afternoon Goodies!

Awhile ago I purchased a huge bag of Apple Jack for super cheap.  I had the intention of eating them as a snack or breakfast, but I'm just not eating them fast enough!

To solve that problem, I made an afternoon treat out of them today.  I had the bright idea to turn them into Apple Jack Marshmallow Treats!  It's a twist on Rice Krispy Treats and JUST as tasty!  I'm going to try substitueing other cereals soon...Fruity Pebbles is up next!

What cereal would you like to try???