Bunko Supper

We have a group of girls that get together to play bunko once a month.  This month it's at my house.  The menu is Corn and Crab Bisque, Salad with homemade House Dressing, and Lemon Cake!  There goes the diet!  Check back Wednesday for pictures and recipes!!!!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

These days it does not hurt to save money.  My mom was telling me about how some ladies at her church make their own laundry detergent.  She said she was gonna give it a try herself.  The liguid recipe makes about 3 1/2 gallons.  She makes in a 5 gallon bucket that has a lid.  The cost is about 7 cents a load!!!!  That't right, I said 7 cents!!!!  It sounded great, but I didn't want to deal with keeping my wild 2 year old daughter out of it.  I did a little looking around and found a recipe for powdered detergent.  I liked this idea.  I am making a batch and see how well it does and how long it last.  Here is the recipe and I will updated after I have used it awhile and let you know what I think.  I would love to hear from any of you that may already use this or something close to it.

2 cups Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated)

1 cup Washing Soda

1 cup Borax

■Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.

■Use 2 tablespoons per full load.

 

It's easier if you use a food processor.  Make sure you cover the top with a damp towel so the you don't breathe the powdered dust it makes.  You can also substitute your favorite soap for the Fels Naptha Soap.  I read also that it is good for sensitive skin.  Make sure you get Washing Soda and Not Baking Soda.  They are different.  These items can't all be found at Walmart.  I found them at Kroger, Sunflower, and Rameys.

 

Thanks and Enjoy,

Dana

Fruity Chicken Salad Sandwich

As you will find out in future post, I am a very, very picky eater!  I don't like alot of foods.  I have always been interested in finding a recipe for chicken salad without eggs and pickle relish.  My search lead me to fruity chicken salad.  At first, I didn't think that I would like the texture of the fruit (see I told you I was picky).  So, I began to work on a recipe that included the seasonings and fruits that I liked.  After a few trials, I got it! 

FRUITY CHICKEN SALAD

1 apple diced

2 cups grapes

1 cup fresh pitted cherries

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp dill

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/8 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

2 cups chicken (cooked and diced)

1/2 cup mayo

1/2 cup sour cream

Toasted pecans (optional)

Mix fruit and next 6 ingredients together.  Add chicken, mayo, and sour cream.  Mix well, then add toasted pecans.  Serve on croissants or on lettuce with crackers.

You can change out the fruit and use leftover chicken.  I used  a rotisserie chicken.  I also used low fat mayo and sour cream. 

Thanks and Enjoy,

Dana

FEATURED!!!!

I am so excited.  My blog post about Karlee's 2nd birthday has been featured on three sites; The Cake at Home Mom, Birds Carfts, Sweet Bambinos and Maddy Cakes Muse .  Please go check out these sites.  They have some awesome ideas!!! 

Thanks!!
Dana

http://www.thecakeathomemom.com/

http://birdcrafts.blogspot.com/

http://sweetbambinos.blogspot.com/

http://maddycakesmuse.blogspot.com/

Seafood Monday

We love seafood at our house.  I would have to say that crab, shrimp, and lobster are my FAVORITE foods.  I love them in dips, sauces, main courses, sandwiches, and the list goes on and on.  Last night we went to an engagement party and I ate something that I have never tryed before.......Lamb chops with mint jelly.  Mmmm good.  I actually was surprised.  I really think they tasted like steak, but I've gotten off the subject.  They also had a hot crab dip served with toast points.  It was very good.  It gave me the idea to start Seafood Monday.  So, check back each Monday for more seafood recipes that we love. 

HOT CRAB DIP

1/2 pound crabmeat

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sour cream

2 tbsp. mayonnaise

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. dry mustard

1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

pinch garlic salt

paprika, for garnish

Remove cartilage from crabmeat. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, may, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and garlic salt until smooth. Add enough milk to make mixture creamy. Stir in 2 tbsp. of grated cheese. Fold crabmeat into mixture.

Pour mixture into a 1 quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 325° until mixture is bubbly and browned on top, about 30 minutes. Serve with crackers, toast points, or pita chips.
 Makes about 4 cups of dip.

Courtesy Maryland Department of Agriculture

Thanks and Enjoy!!!

Dana


Next Monday......Shrimp and Grits!

Karlee's 2nd Birthday

I am very excited to be blogging for "The Cake At Home Mom".  I am very new to the blogging world.  I love to cook.  So, I decided to start a blog about my cooking adventures. Sometimes, I may venture out alittle bit but will always come back to what I know best......COOKING!!   I hope you enjoy my daughters 2nd birthday. 

My sweet daughter turned 2 this week.  She is a mischevious angel!  For her birthday, I pick something that she loves to design the theme around.  Last year it was Elmo, this year it's Flowers!  She loves flowers.  So, I started with her dress.  My sister has a sewing business.  Her site is http://www.satinstitchescustomclothing.blogspot.com/.  I picked out the design and fabric for her dress and she made it for me.  The colors in the dress are where I got the blue and pink from.

Satin Stiches Custom Clothing

  I wanted to be able to make everything myself.  I have looked at the Cricut expressions for awhile and finally decided to purchase one.  I made the cupcake toppers, banner, cupcake wrappers, and labels.  I also planned on my purchases of papers and supplies when Hobby Lobby had things for 50% off.  This helped with the cost. 

Oreo Pops                               Fancy Cakes

Vanilla Cupcakes with Fluffy White Frosting

Malt Balls, Mints, and Suckers          Pink Lemonade              

Cookies N Cream

Now the most important part......FOOD!  I didnt want the usual cake.  I got glazed flower pots from Walmart.  The 8 inch one I lined with Suran Wrap cling and placed a glass bowl inside.  I make a strawberry trifle.  My cousin who makes cakes and cookies, made my cookies for me.  Her site is http://www.lovincookiesncream.com/.  I placed the cookie flowers in the pot.  She also made the K cookies.  I made Oreo pops, pretzel sticks, and the cupcakes.  I also accented the fancy cakes with candy flowers.  For the adults, I made a Spicy Ranch Chicken Dip, Bacon Cheeseball, and Spicy Cheese balls.  The recipes will follow.  Hope you enjoy!

Spicy Ranch Chicken Dip

2 8oz cream cheese

2 pkg ranch dressing mix

1 rotisserie chicken (deboned and shredded)

4 cups shredded cheese

1 cup mayo

1 cup sour cream

1 cup Crystal hot sauce

3/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon

green onions

Soften cream cheese in microwave, then add dressing, chicken, 2 cups cheese, mayo, sour cream, hot sauce, and 1/2 cup bacon.  Mix together well.  Place in oven safe dish and bake at 350 until bubbly.  Remove and top with the rest of the cheese, bacon and green onions.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Bacon Cheese Ball

2 8oz cream cheese

2 diced green onions

2 hand fulls of diced cooked bacon

Soften cream cheese in microwave and mix in the green onions and bacon.  Line a small bowl with suran wrap and place mixture inside.  Pull suran wrap over the top and pack down tightly into bowl.  Store in refrigerator until firm.  Turn out onto a plate and sprinkle with paprika.  Serve with your favorite crackers.

You can use this as a sandwich spread, too.  Just add some mayo or sour cream and spread on bread.

Coming Soon

Here is a sneek peek at Karlee's 2nd Birthday Party yesterday.  I will be posting everything Wednesday and will also be guest blogging for http://www.thecakeathomemom.com/ next week.  I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARLEE!