Tuesday, August 30

Lazy Girl Skillet Pork Chops

Recipe from onecrazymomma.com


Ingredients:
6 to 8 pork chops (any type)
oil or butter (I always use olive oil)
garlic, (one clove-pressed or 1 tsp. dried minced)
onion, (small raw-chopped/diced or 1 tsp. dried)
broth (beef or chicken), separated
flour

Heat oil or butter in large skillet. Add garlic and onion.

Add pork chops and brown on both sides. Cover with can of broth (minus 1/4 cup, set aside). Combine 1/4 cup of set aside broth with flour until thickened. Add broth/flour mixture to skillet and mix in. 

Reduce heat to simmer and cover. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes.

To stay in the Lazy Girl fashion, I used baked potatoes and canned green beans for sides.

Sunday, August 28

Circle of Friends Weekend Blog Hop




Photobucket






This blog hop is a wonderful way to meet new people and follow some super sweet blogs!
If you are stopping by from the Hop, HELLO!!! Thanks so much for stopping by! 
Follow me and I will follow back!
Hope you are having a great weekend.


On a personal note, today is the 6th anniversary of the day Heaven received it's brightest angel. In Memory of my nephew Colin who lost his fight with brain cancer, please light a candle. You can read about his brave battle here at Sunday Baker.
You will never be forgotten.


Colin William Belanger

~~February 19th, 1995 to August 28th, 2005~~



Saturday, August 27

Camera Critters - Heal All and Friend


Heal All - (mint family) with a Hover Fly playing Peek-a-boo


Heal All & Hover Fly (I think of them as cute little bees)


I linked up with Camera Critters.

Friday, August 26

Project Lifesaver ~ Keeping Our Loved Ones Safer

It has been awhile since I have blogged about Spencer's Project Lifesaver bracelet. Recently I have had a few inquiries about it and thought it would be a good idea to talk about it again in a little more depth.


Just over three years ago, John and I made the decision to take our son's safety a step further. My original post can be found here. Spencer has no concern for his own safety. He knows no boundaries inside or outside. He would walk into a busy four lane highway with no regard for anything but whatever it was across the lanes that interested him. He would go out into below zero weather without socks or shoes if he thought I might be outside and wouldn't then think to come back in if he was cold. He would wander, not being able to tell someone his name if asked or know to call for help. This TERRIFIES me and John and I have adjusted our lives to make the chances of this happening the least possible. However, Spencer is not always with one of us. As much as we think we have covered every base to help protect him, we are shown often that our Spencer does things his way.


Project Lifesaver International helps provide rapid response to save lives and reduce potential for serious injury for adults and children who wander due to Alzheimer’s, autism, Down syndrome, dementia and other related cognitive conditions.  Project Lifesaver provides equipment, training, certification and support to law enforcement, public safety organizations and community groups throughout the country and nation.  Project Lifesaver has over 1,200 participating agencies across the U.S., Canada, and Australia, and has performed 2,426 searches in the last 11 years with no serious injuries or fatalities ever reported. -taken from their official website.






Here is the bracelet Spencer wears 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While it a bit bulky, it is lightweight and doesn't hinder Spencer's activities at all. It is waterproof and can be worn on the wrist or ankle. In rare cases, also in a pocket of the person using it.




How it works: The transmitter works off of radio frequency waves. It is always on but only activated if someone were to call the police force saying Spencer was missing. So it is not a GPS unit and does not track your loved ones whereabouts on a continuous basis. 




This is a tester we use to make sure the battery in the bracelet is working. An officer changes the battery once a month whether it is needed or not. 


There is a small fee to start the program and then another small monthly fee to maintain the bracelet. A very small price to pay for an immediate response by law enforcement and the fire department if I were to call in that Spencer had gone missing.


My son's safety is and always will come first. It is worth the odd look or two we get when out in public. I appreciate when people ask instead of speculate or look at me like I am a bad mother or my son is contagious. My favorite one so far is "Hey, is your kid on house arrest?". Ha! In a way, yes. 


You can't lose your sense of humor in this life; sometimes it's all we've got!


Project Lifesaver's official website: Project Lifesaver International


I am happy to answer any questions you might have about the bracelet. My email is soverysheri@gmail.com or leave it in the comment area. Remember this is not only for children, but adults too. 

Thursday, August 25

Taco Ring



This recipe has been on my weekly menu way too many times to count. It's a family favorite for us and I never have leftovers.


Ingredients:
2 pkgs. refrigerated crescent rolls
1- 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 pkg. taco seasoning
2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar/mozzarella mix)
2 Tbls. water
1 egg white, lightly beaten


Brown and drain hamburger. Add taco seasoning mix and water. Stir. Remove from heat, add 1 cup of cheese mixture.


Preheat oven to 375. Seperate crescent rolls into 16 individual triangles. Arrange 8 of them with wide ends touching, forming a hollow "circle" center on greased cookie sheet


Like this only with 8 triangles

Arrange 8 remaining triangles with wide end touching wide end to already laid triangles. Second set of triangles should have the small ends pointed in this time. Going the opposite direction of bottom triangles. Press seams together where the wide ends meet, on the bottom only.

Scoop meat mixture evenly over dough formation. Pull small ends of triangles over each other in criss cross fashion to form covered circle.

Brush dough with egg white. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. 

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until top is golden brown. Serve with sour cream or  your choice of toppings.

I got this recipe from my sister over at Sunday Baker. Thanks, Tanya!

Wednesday, August 24

Tuesday, August 23

Grilled Pizza Sandwiches




Ingredients:
8 slices of bread
8 pieces of part skim mozzarella cheese (I used shredded; worked great!)
4 tsp. Parmesan cheese
4 dashes of garlic salt
24 slices of pepperoni
butter
pizza sauce




Butter bread, one side each piece. Place one slice of bread on skillet (or griddle) butter side down.


Layer:
mozzarella
6 slices of pepperoni (use 9 if you like pepperoni more than the average bear)
tsp. of Parmesan cheese
dash of garlic salt
mozzarella
top with second slice of bread butter side up


Flip sandwich and cook until bread is slightly browned and cheese is melted. Serve with a side of pizza sauce for dipping. Makes 4 servings.


Yum!


Another great recipe I grabbed from Nicole at  

Monday, August 22

Macro Monday - Yellow Toadflax





Also known as Butter and Eggs or Linaria vulgaris. Often found among weeds. I find them delicate and beautiful.

Saturday, August 20

Cheesy Hamburger Casserole



Here is another one of those delicious meals you can make for the whole family on a busy weeknight. You can prepare and bake it, make it ahead of time and either chill it in the refrigerator or freeze it. 


Ingredients:


2 lbs. hamburger
5 cups shredded frozen hash browns
1 (26 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
1 small onion, diced
1& 1/2 cup grated medium cheddar cheese
salt & pepper to taste


Brown hamburger and onion. Drain. Add soup and mix well. Remove from heat. 


Place hash browns in 9" x 13" greased pan. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Top with meat mixture. 


Bake at 375 for 1 hour. 


I found this recipe over at   I made a few alterations but the original can be found under the Main Dish section. Thanks Nicole!

Thursday, August 18

Thankful Thursday

Today I am reflecting on all the things that right here, right now, I am thankful for.

~ Spencer's never ending smile and laughter

~Having a smart, funny, hard working guy who still kisses me goodbye every morning

~My BFF Tammy, who has never given up on me, even when I gave up on myself.

~My adorably wonderful friend, Carolyn. God smiled on me the day we met. She just gets "me".

~Photoshop Elements 9. I am in love with this software and the my big geek for getting it for me!


A few examples of what I have been having way too much fun with:


 Original


 Photoshop Elements 9 redo

 Original


  Photoshop Elements 9 redo


Original

Photoshop Elements 9 redo


I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose ~Woody Allen~
 
What are you thankful for today?

Wednesday, August 17

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip



Super easy and full of flavor, this is a great appetizer or snack to start off the new school year with. Taking only a few minutes to make and a little time to chill, it's one of those recipes I am grateful for when the hours in the day seem to have flown by and I need something fast and delicious!


Ingredients:
1 pkg. (1 oz.) ranch dip
1 pint sour cream
1/4 bacon bits
1 cup shredded medium cheddar cheese


Combine ranch dip with sour cream. Add bacon bits and shredded cheese. Mix well. Chill


You can use crackers, chips or fresh vegetables for dipping. Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 16

Sweet Shot Tuesday


My Sweet Boy


Straight out of the camera. No editing.


Simple editing. Contrast, color and sharpening.


Filters: Warming and Film Grain


What type of photo editing do you "play" around with? Would love to hear your favorite textures, add-ons and filters. If you have a favorite photo using any of the above, please leave a link in the comment so I can take a look. That would be great! 

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!



Monday, August 15

Macro Monday - Bittersweet Nightshade

These tiny, delicate flowers (just wider than a fingertip) turn into translucent red berries in the fall. The berries are a favorite of birds but poisonous to humans.







Lisa over at Lisa's Chaos has more Macro Monday links.

Sunday, August 14

Neiman Marcus Cookie Bars



I don't usually jump on the trendy food bandwagon. These bars are an exception. A worthy one. Rich enough to satisfy any sweet tooth. 

Crust:

1 package yellow cake mix
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 cup butter, melted

Topping:

8 ounces chocolate chips
3/4 cup nuts of your choice, chopped (I used pecans)
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 cup coconut (optional)

Mix crust ingredients together well. Press into bottom of 9" x 13" pan. Press in the chocolate chips and nuts. 

Sprinkle coconut over chocolate chips/nuts.

Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, eggs and vanilla. Pour over pan mixture. 

Preheat oven to 300. Bake 1 hour or until top has slightly browned.

Cool and  keep refrigerated. These are great right out of the oven but even better after being refrigerated.

Saturday, August 13

Silly Sunday Blog Hop 8/14/11


It's Sunday and it's time to link up in the Silly Sunday Hop again.

The rules are simple, you must follow your hosts My Very Own Mommy Blog and A Little Inspiration as well as this weeks guest host via GFC.

And this week's guest co-host MariaS Handmade Love.

Remember! Follow and be followed.
  
Also, please make sure to tweet about the hop. :)

Camera Critters - Dragonfly



Dragonflies fascinate me. They are amazing in not only their beauty but the fact that every culture has some symbolism behind their ability to adapt to their surroundings, their speed (dragonflies can fly up to 90 miles an hour and stop within just a few seconds from that great speed), to their short but meaningful life. 

I was told as a child that if a dragonfly lands on you, it would bring you good luck. Even as an adult, if one is close by, I will stand as still as I can, hoping to be graced by one. Were you ever told the same "myth"?

Link to more Camera Critters

Friday, August 12

Making Memories - Spencer's Way

I think I have the most adorable boy in the world. I hope all parents feel the same way about their children. I could take pictures of Spencer all day, every day. Spencer however has different ideas on the matter. Having a special needs child has challenged me, in a good way. I had to learn to be creative and relax my high standards on getting the "perfect" photo. I do admit a small tinge of envy here and there when my friends share photos of their kids and they have actual cooperated! It's a small tinge and it fades quickly.

You see, when I ask Spencer to stay where he is or I get out my camera because he is being his adorable self, I immediately get attitude, this attitude.
Isn't he cute all disgruntled like that?



He doesn't understand what a camera means, only that whenever I have it out, it requires something of him possibly. He is not sure what that is, so his reaction is one he has for anything he doesn't understand, slight panic. This post is not so any of you reading feel badly for either of us. It's to help, possibly, to open up your minds a bit to the reality of who your/our children are. That while taking pictures of a special needs child might require more imagination and patience, it is well worth it and in my case SO MUCH FUN. Life should be fun for our children! Don't give up and leave your camera on the shelf. Capture your child's precious memories, have fun doing it and let them be who they are. Special needs or not. 

Here are Spencer's perfect poses. Perfect for him, perfect for us. 






My nephew, Colin used to make this face too!





This is what Spencer says he thinks about "perfect" pictures. Ha! Love this boy.