Spring Color in the Garden

     It seems like we went from winter to summer here in Louisiana. We had a couple of weeks of beautiful spring weather, then the temperature starting rising.  With that being said, the garden has been bright and cheerful. Looking at them, you can't help but relax and smile! 

     Here are some photos to brighten your day.....

Yellow Daylily

Water Lily

Hydrangea

Multi Colored Daylily

Pink Begonia and Yellow Lantana

Hummingbirds love color like this!

Add a few flowers to your garden and wait for them to show up!

What kind of flowers are in your garden?  Send me photos!

Serving Tray Project

      Recently I rearranged the living room and in the process, I placed a blue ottoman next to the sofa on my side.  Inside of it, is all of the extra blankets and throws for when we get cold.

     At first, I just put my magazines on it, but I needed a place to put my coffee cup, etc. without spilling it.  So, I started thinking of what I had around the house that I could use...

     I had some old baking trays that I was getting ready to throw out, but then I decided that I could recycle them into a serving tray for the ottoman!  I decided to spray paint it blue.  I found a place-mat that I liked, so I cut it to fit the tray. That way, if I spill something, I can just remove the mat and wash the tray.

This is what I started with....can't use this to bake with!

Spray painted it on both sides

 Cut place-mat to fit inside

 Done...using on ottoman!

   
You could use this on a coffee table, a side table, or next to your bed.  Use whatever paint, or stencils, pictures you have... Get creative!  You really can't mess this up. If you don't like it after it's done, the baking tray was going in the trash anyway!  What do you have to lose?

Blackberry Crepes

Are you always looking for something new to make for breakfast? I know I am. I saw an IHOP's commercial and decided I wanted a breakfast like that!  These crepes are very light and refreshing...I didn't feel like I was overstuffed after eating a few of these. You could add bacon and/or eggs if you'd like more protein with it!

Crepes
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 Tablespoons melted butter
2/3 cup flour
Dash salt

Put all ingredients in food processor and blend until mixed.  Heat small skillet (about 6") over medium heat - spray with cooking spray. Pour about 2-3 Tablespoons into skillet. Tip and rotate skillet to spread batter to ends of pan. Let cook about 1 minute on each side.

Cream Cheese Filling
 8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all ingredients until smooth.

Blackberry Filling
2 cups blackberries
1/2 cup sugar - more if you like it sweeter

Put ingredients in small saucepan and cook about 5-10 minutes, until heated through.


Build your crepe:
1-spread cream cheese filling in a line down the center of the crepe
2-add blackberry filling over the cream cheese filling
3-fold crepe over the filling
4-add cool whip


These were amazing!!!! Enjoy.....

Mardi Gras 2015

    Happy Mardi Gras Everyone!

I've been going to a few parades, so I thought I'd share a few photos with you.  Our local parades are very family friendly.  No flashing, etc. allowed.... We are here just to have a good time!

These are the goodies from just 2 parades!

I plan to mail these to my grandchildren so that they can share with their friends!  

It's all about spending time with family, eating king cake and catching beads....

Deer Stew WithHomemade Gravy

Recently my husband cleaned out the freezer and found some deer back-strap from last season that needed to be cooked.  I decided to make a deer stew with it.  I usually slice it thin and pan fry it, but I wanted something to bring to the camp ready to go.  I think everyone will enjoy this!

If you'd like to try this recipe, you can substitute beef or pork if you don't have deer meat. I cooked it in a slow cooker for about 6 hours on high.  Easy!

Deer Stew With Gravy

2-3 pounds deer- cut into cubes
3 large potatoes - cut into cubes
2 large carrots - sliced
1 large onion- chopped
2 cups broth - chicken or beef
seasoning to taste

Put all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on high 5-6 hours. Check meat for tenderness.  Make gravy (recipe below) and add to pot.  Let cook until gravy thickens.  About 1 hour on high.  Check seasoning, add more if necessary. Serve over rice.


Homemade Gravy:
2 cups hot water
2 Tablespoons Kitchen Bouquet - see photo below
2 Tablespoons flour

Mix kitchen bouquet and flour into hot water.  Stir until well blended.   Add into slow cooker.  Let thicken.

**I use this gravy in many of my smothered meat recipes.  It works for just about everything! 

Sorry  the picture is sideways! 

Here's a link on amazon if you'd like to buy some for yourself! It comes in large and small sizes. I buy the large because I use it often, but you may like a smaller bottle. 

http://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Bouquet-Browning-Seasoning-Sauce/dp/B001GHYO5I

Enjoy!

Steen's Syrup

  Steen's Syrup is one of my families favorite syrup. It's made in a small town called Abbeville in South Louisiana.   It contains 100% pure cane syrup, so it doesn't have many of the preservatives most other syrups do.

    It has a much stronger flavor than the regular syrup you buy from the grocery store.  A little goes a long way!  Since you can use less, it is also economical.  Helps to stretch the food budget!

    I love it on french bread with butter.  It's also very delicious heated and poured over pancakes!

 Order some today at this website and have it delivered to your home!
  https://www.steensyrup.com/


Give it a try and see how you like it!

Spice Cabinet - Organized

      Now that New Year's Day has come and gone, it's time to get organized!  I'm taking a closet, one drawer, or one cabinet at a time.  That way it's not such an overwhelming task.  This is my latest quick and easy project.....

I recently saw a cabinet spice organizer on television.  Instead of another gadget for the kitchen, I decided to try to organize my spice cabinet without one!  It may not be organized exactly like the one on television, but it will do for my needs.

Look around your house and see how you can do things differently.  Think outside the box and use what you have in another way.

I'd love to see some of your ideas!