tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75101452702994073292024-03-04T22:17:57.788-08:00Two Cooks, One KitchenIf you know me personally, you know that I have a passion for cooking that I enjoy sharing with others. My funny Mauzer (Maltese/Schnauzer), Lilly, is always by my side and likes to supervise in the kitchen. There is nothing better than watching the joy on someone's face after they have taken that first bite. I love cooking whether it be a snack, dinner for two, or a meal for an unexpected 10 and cannot wait to share my kitchen with you.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-30477162406259264522013-07-09T20:44:00.000-07:002013-07-09T21:06:20.107-07:00Mini Fruit Pizzas<span style="font-size: large;">Well first off, I know it's been awhile, but between the studio (<a href="http://www.artasticcraftstudio.com/">www.artasticcraftstudio.com</a> if you haven't checked it out, do!) and some major life changes, life has been crazy. Unfortunately, there are no longer two cooks in the kitchen (unless you count Lilly the dog....she is generally in the kitchen when I am...so maybe I will stick with my Two Cooks, One Kitchen title). I will also be teaching Kindergarten in the fall on top of the studio. I am questioning myself as to whether I am crazy or not! I am very excited about this opportunity and just love my new school. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Secondly and more importantly, tonight I made these Mini Fruit Pizzas </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDnw__k9tSayfzxh8v-D8h-6ki6p5OiTofdyduidZRsg3uM6725XSpBxnZ8g_dKfw3eKAWt_7q3fE7sMVjOimgZFfEMyIEDeO1fojLtMeYB26JZr20facVB2ky-3eIoISToHKVROlcS0x/s1600/IMG_6073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDnw__k9tSayfzxh8v-D8h-6ki6p5OiTofdyduidZRsg3uM6725XSpBxnZ8g_dKfw3eKAWt_7q3fE7sMVjOimgZFfEMyIEDeO1fojLtMeYB26JZr20facVB2ky-3eIoISToHKVROlcS0x/s320/IMG_6073.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and O.M.G. they were pretty tasty! So tasty, they required a photograph in the middle of the sentence. Our Bunco group meets at the studio every month (twice for July) and we do potluck. Of course, I always have to bring something new to wow the group (you have no idea of how much pressure it is) and as of lately, something easy! I have been craving the fruit pizza we used to have at camp for Mother-Daughter Weekends and then later during camp (<a href="http://www.camphoneycreek.com/">www.camphoneycreek.com</a> - everyone should go to summer camp - seriously). It is soooooo yummy and I just knew it would be the perfect thing to bring to tonight's Bunco. After the above Instagram post and request from my fellow Bunco rollers, it required a blog post and what better recipe to make a blog comeback with?!?! I have even created a <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/27584616440759985/" target="_blank">Pin</a> for this so you can always keep this recipe handy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Mini Fruit Pizzas</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 dozen sugar cookies (I cheated and used the Pillsbury break-apart kind. Don't judge. I said I needed easy!)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 1/2 8 oz blocks of cream cheese, softened </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup powdered sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">24 slices of strawberries (5-7 strawberries depending on their size)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 can of peach halves (cut to get 24 slices, you will have extra)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">48 blueberries</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2 kiwis cut (into 24 slices)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/2 banana (cut into 24 slices)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/4 cup apricot or peach preserves (I got fancy and used the HEB Peach-Mango More Fruit)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 tsp water</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Bake your cookies from scratch, from the package or if you don't even know who Paula Deen is (I still love you Paula!), store bought ones will suffice. Let cool completely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">*** Sorry there is no picture of this step.... I mean I could post a pic of the cookie dough package, but I thought you would probably know what 2 dozen sugar cookies looked like)***</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Make sure the cream cheese is softened (if you forgot like I always do, open the cream cheese and put it in a bowl of the stove while the cookies are baking. If you bought the cookies...heat the oven and pretend you are baking the cookies to soften the cream cheese. You are welcome) and add the 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. Beat with a mixer until nice and fluffy. Spread cream cheese mixture on to each cookie. I just used a heaping knifeful (apparently spoonful is a real word, but my computer has put a red broken line under the word knifeful) on each cookie and still had some extra. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Place one slice each of strawberry, kiwi, banana, and peach and two blueberries on top.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiu0lPVjk3-v235k5E6J83aNHphAEQcqKuO0V7na2Cl0M5JaSG1seC0DGJItQ2pptF7DYGVldCn_XW84uzpYsk4BDxZqcuZsI7hTeKIBUHTfCz2DNxI38mqgnDBk2So7id_-4xKywI4b9Z/s1600/IMG_6063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiu0lPVjk3-v235k5E6J83aNHphAEQcqKuO0V7na2Cl0M5JaSG1seC0DGJItQ2pptF7DYGVldCn_XW84uzpYsk4BDxZqcuZsI7hTeKIBUHTfCz2DNxI38mqgnDBk2So7id_-4xKywI4b9Z/s320/IMG_6063.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Combine water and preserves into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for the 30 seconds and then brush the mixture over your fruit toppings using a basting brush. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I actually baked the cookies, made the cream cheese mixture and sliced the fruit the night before (notice how pretty it looks in each bowl! I thought you might like an up close picture it was so pretty!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can also add or delete any kind of fruit. This is also just as delicious if you make brownie-cookies (they are made from brownie mix!) and top with the cream cheese mixture and strawberries or raspberries. It can also be done by rolling sugar cookie dough out and making a regular round or rectangle like pizza.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you enjoy these Mini Fruit Pizzas as much as we did at Bunco tonight! One of my sweet friends had 4 of these babies, needless to say, I can't say I blame her! </span><span style="font-size: large;">Even though I went 5-7 and didn't have any Bunco's tonight, at least this recipe was a winner!</span><br />
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Disclaimer: This is not the official Camp Honey Creek recipe, I just kind of made this up as I went along and as my friend Dawn says, "sprinkled a little bit of magical unicorn horn dust on it to make it delicious!"Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-56407321121619238052013-01-10T14:27:00.001-08:002013-01-10T14:54:47.248-08:00Chris' Casserole: Sausage, Biscuit, & Gravy Casserole<span style="font-size: large;">This delicious recipe is the breakfast version of <a href="http://twocooksonekitchen.blogspot.com/2011/08/chicken-pie.html" target="_blank">Chicken Pie</a> . . . and is equally delicious. I created the dish for the of the early morning Fightin' Texas Aggie Spirit of '02 Tailgate Crew tailgates this season . . . . and it was requested for all morning tailgates after. It's biggest fan is Chris (who it is named after because he couldn't get enough of it and even had it after the game he liked it so much). This post is way over due (sorry Laura!) even though it was a repeatedly requested blog post. So here it goes . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Chris' Casserole: Sausage, Biscuit, & Gravy Casserole</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3 lbs ground sausage (1 hot, 1 regular, and 1 light)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup flour</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4 cups milk</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/4 tsp pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">salt to taste</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2 cups buttermilk </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2 cups self rising flour</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3 tbs butter</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Brown sausage over medium heat in large skillet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of flour over browned sausage and stir. The mixture will become thick. Add salt and pepper.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Slowly add 1/2 cup of the milk stir and repeat. Add remaining milk and simmer until the gravy becomes thick. Stir constantly.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Place sausage gravy in a greased 13x9 pan.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Combine the self-rising flout and buttermilk until well mixed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. Spoon 12 biscuits (3 rows of 4) onto sausage gravy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. Cut butter into 12 equal pieces and place one slice on each biscuit</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. Bake at 425 F for 45 minutes until biscuits are browned</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVSOr1O0FFyqHzNrTcPCFVUZK2mGBtpHOGCRrHJW58WlVGXlMk3DAHuhByngUyKrWaf8CX5noyujRyxEtnMebtpew32wQrOcVG47RAXqc2WATCsK1dSk-jiFkjBhxb-YEV7KBwgze8-Vk/s1600/IMG_3671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVSOr1O0FFyqHzNrTcPCFVUZK2mGBtpHOGCRrHJW58WlVGXlMk3DAHuhByngUyKrWaf8CX5noyujRyxEtnMebtpew32wQrOcVG47RAXqc2WATCsK1dSk-jiFkjBhxb-YEV7KBwgze8-Vk/s320/IMG_3671.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Excuse the picture . . . this was taken after the serving line started. It went fast and had to pause the serving spoon just to snap the picture. This picture does not do justice for this deliciousness!</span>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-2909009557414747362012-12-12T19:42:00.003-08:002012-12-12T19:42:58.696-08:00Leftover Veggie Tray to Creamy Veggie Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCis9OkPPSMQ4F8OywcP7EOQGH5T-N40WZhPD0jieoleR1uL7QynS3vqZ6tmYvRsazfgJEcSxq2D2o1BZ1Wh4lxoCGxfOhAFWCRWj77oy9BiRiBcVF0sGyVo8o4Kj-trVVmwMQ0Xx8f83o/s1600/IMG_3485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCis9OkPPSMQ4F8OywcP7EOQGH5T-N40WZhPD0jieoleR1uL7QynS3vqZ6tmYvRsazfgJEcSxq2D2o1BZ1Wh4lxoCGxfOhAFWCRWj77oy9BiRiBcVF0sGyVo8o4Kj-trVVmwMQ0Xx8f83o/s320/IMG_3485.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You know the veggie tray that is left at the end of every party that no one wants to take and it ends up in the trash? After reading this, you will NEVER leave behind another veggie tray again. Ever. In fact, I hope this post will inspire all out wrestling matches similar to those often seen at weddings between all the single ladies and the bride's bouquet. Yeah, this recipe is that good. And worth a black eye and bandaids if you are the victor of the veggie tray.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With the studio, I am often "blessed" with the leftovers from the parties. Monday night was no exception and I was left with not one, but two veggie trays in addition to a variety of other delicacies. I tried to push them on my bunco group the next night, but everyone only took the mandatory three carrots and one piece of celery. No one likes raw broccoli and I can't say I blame them. Anyways, I hadn't had soup in three days and was going through withdrawals (yes I have a soup problem) and with this cold weather, I don't know if I was shivering from the temperature or not having have had a hot liquid fix. So soup was on the menu for dinner. It was also one of those days that there was an NCIS marathon on USA and I was getting crafty (don't judge, it's my profession), so I didn't make it to the store. Based off a potato soup recipe I made recently, I had this idea for a vegetable version . . . OMG. It was awesome. The kind of awesome I kept sneaking back to the kitchen for and was ticked my computer was dead so I couldn't immediately blog about it awesome. Awesome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">***Disclaimer: This is one of those "flexible" recipes . . . meaning I will try to be specific, but you kind of just got to go with it.***</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Creamy Vegetable Soup</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- Left over veggie tray (carrots, celery, broccoli, snap peas, and anything else that might be on it)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- 1 Onion</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- 1 can Cream of Chicken soup</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- 1 can Creamy Portabella Starter (Progresso) or 2 cans of Cream of Mushroom </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- 1/4 cup Chicken Broth</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- 1/2 tsp Salt</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- 1/4 cup Milk</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- 4 oz Cream Cheese (room temp)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Note: This was made in my small crock pot so keep that in mind</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Directions:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- Chop veggies and onions. I filled my small one about 3/4 the way full. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- Add soup, liquids and salt, stir well</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 6-8 depending on your crock pot (yes they all have different definitions of "low")</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- Add cream cheese and cook for 30 min more</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh yeah . . . did I mention that it's one of those really easy recipes? Because it is. And the best part . . . I didn't buy the veggie tray! All the ingredients I just happened to have in my kitchen and it could be made "healthy" with the better for you soups and fat free cream cheese! Oh yeah, and you are getting your veggies! This soup definitely satisfied my soup habit and I cannot wait to snag the leftover veggie tray at the next together. Yes I will throw elbows for it!</span><br />
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PS - Excuse the service ware. We went with the colored plastic instead of the breakable ware. Our breakable bowls suck for soup so we stuck with the faithful colored plastic bowls. Also, my veggie tray pic was after I chopped the veggies . . . yeah, it was a big veggie tray.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-8276515406473982172012-11-05T20:59:00.001-08:002012-11-05T20:59:44.000-08:00Tiramasu Brownies<span style="font-size: large;">Yes you read the title of this post correctly . . . Tiramasu Brownies. I will just go ahead and say, "You're welcome!" now because trust me, you will be thanking me later for this recipe that will put you in a heavenly sugar bliss. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is one of those simple recipes. And by simple, I mean 1) it's really easy and 2) you can't really mess this one up. Not mention this recipe has a lot, and I mean a lot, of ingredients that are delicious on their own so by pure common sense, when united together they create pure fantasticalness! (Yes, "fantasticalness" is a word according to my automated spell checker.) So now that I have raved about this dessert, here's how it goes:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Tiramasu Brownies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 box brownie mix (for 13x9 pan) + ingredients to make brownies (I told you it was simple!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 small boxes cheesecake pudding mix (white chocolate or vanilla will work in primitive conditions)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 cup milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">20 crushed Oreos (I didn't lie about delicious ingredients)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">1 16 oz container whipped topping</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">1/4 cup instant coffee granules </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">2 tablespoons chocolate morsels or 1/2 of a Hershey's Bar</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">1/4 teaspoons cinnamon</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">1. Prepare brownies as directed on the back of the box in a 9X13 pan. Let cool completely.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">2. In a bowl, combine milk and instant coffee granules. Add half the</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> whipped topping and all the pudding mix; whisk until smooth. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">3. Coarsely </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">chop the Oreos and fold into pudding mixture. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">4. Spread filling over brownie.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">5. Spread remaining whipped topping over desert. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">6. Grate chocolate morsel </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">over the brownie and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yield 20 servings</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Extras: </span></span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I have also added Baileys to the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">oreo/pudding mix . . . not too shabby . . .</span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Use an additional 8 oz container of whipped cream to pipe around the dessert to make it pretty</span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sprinkle with mini holiday m&m's for a festive touch</span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not a coffee lover, don't worry about the coffee. If coffee is your lifeline, add more!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FYI: the cheesecake pudding mix comes in a sugar free version as does brownie mix, whipped cream, and Oreos in case you need a less-sugar-yet-still-delicious kind of dessert</span></span></li>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-6383155927452558142012-09-24T18:31:00.004-07:002012-09-24T18:33:26.663-07:00Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cake Balls<span style="font-size: large;">I've always been quite fond of those little bites of goodness called cake balls. Of course I always have to bring something delicious for Bunco and since it's fall, I thought I would try my hand at cake balls and why not pumpkin ones. These little treats were also well loved by all at the tailgates and other gatherings. They are a little time consuming, but the first bite will be well worth your time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cake Balls</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 box Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 can pumpkin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 block cream cheese, softened</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/4 cup powdered sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 package of white chocolate bark</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sprinkles, Nuts (Optional)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Preheat oven to 350 and spray the baking dish of your choice with cooking spray.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Combine cake mix and pumpkin until well mixed and pour into your dish.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Bake according to directions.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Allow cake to cool completely.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Using a beater, beat cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar to make the icing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. Using a fork to shred the cake, transfer the cake crumbs into a large bowl.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. Add the cream cheese icing and combine until mixed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8 . Using a melon baller or small scoop, form small balls and place on cookie sheet lined with wax paper (You will have a couple or more depending on the size of your cookies sheets)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. Place in freezer for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate bark in double boiler on low heat with a tablespoon of milk.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. Using a fork, dip cake ball into the chocolate and tap on the side to shake off excess chocolate. Place back on cookie sheet and top with sprinkles or nuts if desired. Repeat until all the cake balls on the cookie sheet have been covered and place the sheet back in the freezer for another 10 minutes. If chocolate starts to thicken, add a tablespoon of milk.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">11. I like to place mine in mini cupcake wrappers for easy serving purposes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These little fabulous delights scream fall and taste even better!</span>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-31571060289077811832012-09-24T17:48:00.002-07:002015-01-31T17:01:53.231-08:00The Original Jalapeño Popper Dip Recipe<span style="font-size: large;">Probably one of my most favorite dips! Always a crowd pleaser. I generally use just one jalapeño, but you can add more or keep the seeds to add a little kick! And don't forget an extra half for the signature garnish!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jalapeño Popper Dip</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 blocks cream cheese, softened</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup mayonnaise</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 jalapeño, seeds removed and finely diced</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 4 oz can green chilies</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 pkg/jar of real bacon pieces</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3/4 cup parmesan cheese, divided</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Preheat oven to 350</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Place the cream cheese in a small baking dish and place in oven for 5 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Remove cream cheese from oven and add mayo, combine until well mixed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Add the rest of the ingredients, reserving a 1/4 cups of the parmesan cheese and a small amount of bacon pieces and jalapeño.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Top the dip with the remaining parmesan cheese, jalapeño, and bacon pieces.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes uncovered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We enjoy this dip with Frito Scoops and it has been a popular dish at all the gatherings and tailgates. There are a few versions of this recipe roaming around, but this has by far been declared the best!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Note: The picture above is a double recipe to meet the demand</span>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-32545464136976554432012-09-20T19:37:00.002-07:002012-09-20T19:37:34.920-07:00Pumpkin Cream Cheese MuffinsIn addition to the weather, leaves changing, and decorations, nothing says "Fall" better than the smell of pumpkin treats baking in your oven. With the change in weather already occurring, the itch to get my fall decor has been intensely growing. So today, up went the fall decor and in the oven went the first batch of pumpkin treats - Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins.<div>
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These are an incredibly easy, but absolutely delicious treat that will fill your home with the smell of fall happiness (there are no words to describe the bliss that is still overtaking the house as my fingers fly over the keys trying to describe the joy). I used a spice cake mix in order to use something out of the pantry as Daniel has declared I have a couponing habit (I call it being thrifty), but you can use a spice cake recipe eliminating the wet ingredients. Even better news, these babies are semi-healthy as the oil and eggs are replaced by pumpkin and pumpkin alone. With fat free cream cheese, these little joys can become a fall staple in your kitchen.</div>
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Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins</div>
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1 box Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix</div>
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1 15 oz can of pumpkin puree</div>
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1 8 oz block cream cheese</div>
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1/4 cup powdered sugar</div>
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1/2 tsp cinnamon</div>
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1/2 tsp vanilla</div>
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1. Line a cupcake pan with 12 cupcake papers and spray with cooking spray. Pre-heat oven at 350</div>
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2. Combine the cake mix and pumpkin until well mixed</div>
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3. Beat the cream cheese with powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until fluffy.</div>
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4. Fill the cupcake wrappers half full and use a spoon to make a little well in each cupcake.</div>
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5. Place a heaping teaspoon full of cream cheese mixture into each center.</div>
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6. Cover with remaining pumpkin batter. </div>
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7. Bake at 350 for 25 - 35 minutes (I use stoneware so my baking times are a little longer).</div>
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Optional: I sprinkled mine with oatmeal and cinnamon sugar for decor.</div>
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Don't worry if they are full going into the oven as my picture shows below. They will not rise as much as they normally would had you used eggs and oil.</div>
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Now assuming your fall decor is already up, your house is ready for fall!</div>
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Side comment: Does anyone put their pumpkins and turkeys out at the same time? I have convinced myself that this is completely normal as my fall comes down the week before Thanksgiving in order for Christmas to go up. By putting them out now, I am able to give my turkeys as much face time as possible. And my jack-o-lanterns get turned around after Halloween to be just pumpkins. Totally normal . . . right?</div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-11248121400503671842012-07-12T19:37:00.001-07:002012-07-12T19:37:03.703-07:00Grilled Chicken & BLTA Salad with Avocado RanchI have always loved bacon. There is no better smell to wake up to in the morning and it is a Sunday staple along with honey buns and strawberries every Sunday morning at camp. This summer, my love for bacon has dwindled, said no one ever! I have however, been working on my salads this summer and came up with this one in my head a few weeks ago, a BLT salad with grilled chicken. And since I am currently obsessed with avocado and bacon and avocado would BFFs in life, I knew the avocado was a must. Now, if you know me, you know I am not a salad dressing kind of girl, but my favorite boyfriend is. This led me to concur to that an avocado ranch salad dressing would pair nicely with my BLTA AND it is possible to make a healthy version as I did! Now, I did use 6 pieces of bacon for the 2 of us, but we are bacon lovers in this house. I recommend you don't skimp on the bacon as it is the first letter in BLTA, which means there should be more bacon than anything else . . . . right?<div>
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Grilled Chicken & BLTA Salad with Avocado Ranch</div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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<div>
2 chicken breasts, grilled and sliced (we love the HEB grilled strips in the freezer aisle)</div>
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6 slices thick cut bacon*, cooked and drained</div>
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1 large head romaine or any other lettuce/mix you love</div>
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2 Hass avocados</div>
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1/2 cup grape tomatoes</div>
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2 oz fat-free sour cream</div>
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1/4 packet ranch mix</div>
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1 tbsp milk</div>
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hard boiled egg, optional</div>
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Directions:</div>
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1. Boil eggs and cook bacon until crisp. Set bacon aside to drain and place cooked egg in ice water.</div>
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2. Heat chicken in skillet while you wash and chop the lettuce. Top lettuce with tomatoes and one sliced avocado.</div>
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3. Roughly chop the bacon and add to salad along with chicken and hard boiled egg.</div>
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4. Dressing: process remaining avocado, ranch mix, sour cream, and milk until smooth.</div>
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I served this hearty salad with grilled corn on the cob for a perfect summer dinner!</div>
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* A side note about this bacon: we have a family tradition of purchasing those bright red weenies from the Taylor Meat Market in Taylor, Texas that is located just Northeast of Austin. On my last trip, I picked up a pound of bacon on a whim. OMG! This was the bacon I used in the salad tonight and could eat three meals a day plus snacks in between (it's low-carb right . . . . ?). I highly recommend picking up bacon from your local meat market for this salad! And if you are ever near Taylor, Texas, stop by the Taylor Meat Market located at Hwy 79 and Hwy 79 Business for some Taylor Weenies and bacon!</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-60660832333716921292012-06-09T20:14:00.002-07:002012-06-09T20:14:26.169-07:00Lemon Mascarpone Tarts with Fresh Raspberries<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These little babies scream summer at the top of their lungs! What is not to love about a crisp lemon flavor twisted with ripe raspberries and a sweet and sugary butter cookies crust? Absolutely nothing! These beauties are satisfying and run in the same race with Lemon Meringue Pie and Lemon Pie . . . Arrowhead and Honey Creek girls, remember those mini lemon pies we used to go nuts for? It's the "Filling Station" all grown up!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Lemon Mascarpone Tarts with Fresh Raspberries</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Crust:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 1/2 pkgs Pepperidge Farm Chess Cookies</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup butter, melted</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1/4 cup powdered sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1/2 tsp almond extract</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Filling:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup fresh lemon juice</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 tsp lemon zest</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6 egg yolks</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 8oz container mascarpone cheese</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Toppings:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Raspberries or any other fresh berries </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Whipped cream</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Directions:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Process cookies in food processor until they are a fine crumb. Using a pastry cutter or fork, combine cookie crumbs with butter, powdered sugar and almond extract. Divide mixture into 8 mini tart pans and press firmly. Bake at 350 for 10 - 12 minutes until edges start to tan. Cool for 30 minutes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Combine sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon zest and yolks. Add mascarpone cheese and whisk until well blended. Divide amongst tart shells and bake 12 - 15 minutes at 350. Remove from oven and let cool 1 hour. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Top with fresh berries and whipped cream. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">You will not be disappointed in the joy this desert will bring to your pie hole!</span></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-40179085413773190952012-05-27T21:12:00.003-07:002012-05-27T21:12:59.859-07:00White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Cupcakes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These delightful treats were created quite by accident, but will definitely stick around in our house! Below is the white cupcake with a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake filling and a white chocolate icing. These guys sure do not disappoint!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Cupcakes</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cupcake:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 pkg white cake mix or any white cake recipe + ingredients listed</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Filling:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 pkg frozen raspberries</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 8 oz block cream cheese</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup powdered sugar</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 oz white chocolate</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 tsp milk</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Icing</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 small pkg white chocolate instant pudding mix</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup + 1 tsp milk</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 oz white chocolate</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 cup whipped cream</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Directions:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Make cupcakes according to directions. I find that filling the cup 3/4 of the way full and baking at 325 F makes a bigger and better cupcake. Let cupcakes cool completely.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Use a mixer to combine powdered sugar and cream cheese. Microwave 2 oz white chocolate and 1 tsp milk for 30 seconds. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and combine with cream cheese. Stir in raspberries. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Combine 1/2 cup milk and white chocolate pudding mix until mixture is thick. Microwave 2 oz white chocolate and 1 tsp milk for 30 seconds. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and combine with pudding mixture. Fold in whipped cream</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. Using a table knife, cut a circular center from the top of the cupcake, about 2/3 the depth of the cupcake, and remove cake piece. Cut off the top of the piece and save. Fill the center in the cupcake with raspberry filling and replace the top of the cup cake. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. Pipe icing on cupcake. </span></div>
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<br />Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-30956331092851398602012-05-27T20:01:00.002-07:002012-08-12T16:24:17.261-07:00Berry Cheesecake Cobbler<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After finding one of my favorite berries (and one of the pricier ones!) for a reasonable price this week at Sam's Club and several containers of blackberries already in the fruit drawer, I decided it was time for the first cobbler of the summer: Berry Cheesecake Cobbler!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I found a simple recipe and added my own twist. The results were absolutely delicious! I've also made the recipe with 1-6 oz container each of the berries and 6 oz give or take (more like give) of frozen mixed berries with results being SPECTACULAR!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Berry Cheesecake Cobbler</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5 tbsp butter</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 cup flour</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 1/2 cup sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3/4 cup milk</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 egg</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 1/2 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">8 oz cream cheese</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 - 12 oz container raspberries</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 - 6 oz container blackberries</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Pre-heat oven to 350 F.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Melt butter and pour into bottom of your dish (7 x 11 or about that size.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Combine 1 cup sugar with flour, milk, egg, and baking powder and add to your dish. Do not stir.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. Sprinkle berries over batter. Do not stir.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. Combine 1/4 sugar with cream cheese and place small dabs in spaces between berries. Do not stir.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6. Combine remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and vanilla. Sprinkle sugar evenly over berries and cream cheese.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">7. Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on baking dish or until top is brown (I used stoneware and it took a full hour).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">8. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We topped ours with frozen whipped cream and there were no complaints!</span>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-23218857853370033702011-12-29T19:08:00.000-08:002011-12-29T19:08:20.935-08:00Creamy Black Bean SoupThis one of my absolute favorite soups that I make often. It is cheap, easy, and healthy! What more could you ask for?!?!?! Avocado, Mexican creme, sour cream, cheese, and tortilla chip crumbles nicely accessorize any bowl of this soup!<div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEils3IzXWm5c4Gwjgj-srVKXQJ1g-0GjyR1T0WNHNtfDWm9yfCbma8wugZXue9yZkwF0ZNR_7Reqj-6b_8kNzxhicJhTa-_4NNkkyNJUCs2KSIKDBM-y_goMtllyj55GtJBXQxDYDWmU2ep/s1600/IMG_1829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEils3IzXWm5c4Gwjgj-srVKXQJ1g-0GjyR1T0WNHNtfDWm9yfCbma8wugZXue9yZkwF0ZNR_7Reqj-6b_8kNzxhicJhTa-_4NNkkyNJUCs2KSIKDBM-y_goMtllyj55GtJBXQxDYDWmU2ep/s320/IMG_1829.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Accessorized with Avocado, Mexican Creme, & Cilantro</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Creamy Black Bean Soup</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 medium onion, diced</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 garlic clove, minced</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 Tbsp. olive oil</div><div style="text-align: center;">3 cups chicken OR beef broth</div><div style="text-align: center;">3 15 oz. cans of black beans, rinsed & drained*</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 14.5 oz can Rotel, undrained</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 can diced green chilies, undrained</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 tsp. chili powder</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 tsp. ground cumin</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, reserve 1 Tbsp.</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/4 cup Mexican Creme</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Toppings: avocado, cheese, cilantro, sour cream, lime wedges, tortilla chips, etc.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Saute onion and garlic in hot oil in a large pot over medium-high heat for 4-6 minutes or until tender.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Stir in broth, beans, Rotel, green chilies, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and cilantro (reserve 1 Tbsp.). Cover and bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in reserved cilantro, and cool for 5 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Process soup with hand blender or in batches in a blender or food processor for 30 seconds or until smooth. Return to pot and stir in Mexican Creme until well blended. Serve with your desired accessories!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">*I often substitute 1 lb. of dried black beans. Soak beans and drain. Follow the same steps, but simmer for two hours or until beans or tender. You will need to salt the beans, but DO NOT ADD THE SALT until AFTER the beans are cooked. Adding salt prior to cooking beans creates a tough skin. Using dried beans takes longer, but is cheaper. If you are going to be around the house, this is the way to go! We also have simmered them in the pressure cooker for 30 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-45110814358007480572011-11-07T18:34:00.000-08:002011-11-07T18:34:54.920-08:00Peaches-and-Cream French Toast CasseroleI recently stumbled upon this recipe in one of my magazine and my love for peaches (when you have Fredericksburg zip code it's completely natural) made me instantly yank the entire page from the binding. A few weeks later, I knew it would be the perfect tailgate breakfast for the Missouri game and as a make-the-night-before recipe that you pop into the oven the next morning, it would be a great bake-and-take breakfast. Every bite of this recipe is filled with the taste of summer and fond memories of a french toast breakfast.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Peaches-And-Cream French Toast Casserole</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 8 oz Loaf of French Bread, cubed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8 Large Eggs</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 Cups Milk</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/4 Cup Sugar + 1 tsp</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tsp Vanilla Extract</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 15 oz Cans Sliced Peaches in Juice, Drained</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2 Cup packed Brown Sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tsp Cinnamon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2 Cup Heavy Cream</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Butter a 9"x13" baking dish and arrange bread cubes. Whisk eggs with milk, 1/4 sugar, and vanilla until well blended and pour over bread. Arrange peaches on top and sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and 1 tsp sugar. Cover and refrigerate overnight or 8 hours.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remove from fridge 30 minutes prior to baking and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour cream into a small pan and bring to a boil over high heat; cook until reduced by half (10 - 12 minutes). Drizzle over the top of casserole and bake, uncovered 45 - 55 minutes until lightly brown on top. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This went over extremely well at the tailgate and made me long for summer to be here even sooner so I can use Fredericksburg peaches instead of canned. I'm so giddy my knees tingle at the prospect! Too bad this recipe and a decent tan were the only thing I got from the Missouri game.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-44839922075360440542011-11-07T18:13:00.000-08:002011-11-07T18:13:37.147-08:00Two Perfect Fall CookiesI believe with my whole heart, that cookies are a year around food. However, there are those certain cookies that just taste a bit more delicious around specific holidays. Below are two recipes for perfect fall cookies - Spicy Oatmeal Raisin and Pumpkin, Oatmeal, & White Chocolate Chip - that are extremely simple and one is almost healthy! They both use a spice cake mix (I told you they were simple!) yet, taste like you spent an entire morning in your apron. I generally use the Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix as it is the only one I find on the store shelves, however, any dry spice cake mix or recipe will work!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv82avNWYiEM0pWMgwq-oWg2xrZ_qNiN2JGdQOEM5al_nL6RfDjy9b_YoMFXbZh1iluzCg2yE0cH661yf1E44vaDnMxu3LtoYDXuO6dL6oXx1-MpHagsH9Rr0Fmgl44oWW_CRXWSD1brX/s1600/duncan+hines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv82avNWYiEM0pWMgwq-oWg2xrZ_qNiN2JGdQOEM5al_nL6RfDjy9b_YoMFXbZh1iluzCg2yE0cH661yf1E44vaDnMxu3LtoYDXuO6dL6oXx1-MpHagsH9Rr0Fmgl44oWW_CRXWSD1brX/s1600/duncan+hines.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Now to share these two amazing fall cookie recipes:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies</span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5qIVj5kPqBdq_fUEN35AU5s8vAg97v3PzPE4cnnoaODyORAFTvN0dhtz-97vQHH90Qas6h8zfd-kss6wOx-_EM2v7j4dc8qSw-uMUD3wp4z85gA40VI1YL1SlVlLwIN_S31xTodVomj7/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5qIVj5kPqBdq_fUEN35AU5s8vAg97v3PzPE4cnnoaODyORAFTvN0dhtz-97vQHH90Qas6h8zfd-kss6wOx-_EM2v7j4dc8qSw-uMUD3wp4z85gA40VI1YL1SlVlLwIN_S31xTodVomj7/s320/IMG_1596.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I first started making these cookies when I was in 5th grade. For some reason, we had a box of Spice Cake Mix in our pantry and this recipe was on the side of the box. These were the first cookies I ever made by myself and since then they have become a reliable cookie for any kind of gathering. I remember making these for my family Thanksgiving that year and now, every time I make these cookies, I am taken back my proud accomplishment of my first baked good and a new found love for cooking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 box Spice Cake Mix</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/2 Cup Oil</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 eggs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 Cup Oatmeal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/2 Cupe Raisins</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients and drop by rounded tablespoon onto a parchment paper lined pan. Bake at 375 for 7-9 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on pan for 3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Pumpkin, Oatmeal, & White Chocolate Chip Cookies</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoKHsCW_lx9DhjNBSVtIZU5-QgtfILwFTOOkxHVXheJrYrGH_voivNrey9T7-cLeH0bgi0DJDM5Ljrs8-bp8_vMdJXs7-O_XzX8Hu1aQ0kInSGm3_bICrbIn6Eq9AJv17knNQhHGPz8sd/s1600/IMG_1593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoKHsCW_lx9DhjNBSVtIZU5-QgtfILwFTOOkxHVXheJrYrGH_voivNrey9T7-cLeH0bgi0DJDM5Ljrs8-bp8_vMdJXs7-O_XzX8Hu1aQ0kInSGm3_bICrbIn6Eq9AJv17knNQhHGPz8sd/s320/IMG_1593.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
These were kind of an accidental experiment . . . an accidentally almost healthy! The pumpkin replaces the oil and what part of eggs and oatmeal are unhealthy? Now the white chocolate makes up the "almost" part of the healthy . . . but could a cookie be a cookie without at least one sinful addition?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin, Oatmeal, & White Chocolate Chip Cookies</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 Box Spice Cake Mix</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 15 oz Can of Pumpkin</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 eggs</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 Cup Oatmeal</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 Cup White Chocolate Chips</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine eggs and pumpkin, mix well. Add cake mix and oatmeal and stir until all ingredients are well blended. Stir in white chocolate chips and use a tablespoon to drop onto a parchment paper lined pan. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes and move to a cooling rack.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Note: This is a very moist cookie and is best kept fresh in the refrigerator</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hope these cookies will bring Thanksgiving into your kitchen a few weeks early and delight your taste buds! Happy Fall!</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-53827812029906579892011-08-31T17:51:00.000-07:002013-01-10T11:01:32.772-08:00Chicken PieSince the name of this blog is "Two Cooks, One Kitchen", I guess it's time to post something from the kitchen.<br />
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I recently received a new cookbook in the mail from Pampered Chef (if you need to place a PC order let me know!). Pampered Chef paired up with stars of TLC, to put their favorite recipes into an exclusive Pampered Chef cookbook.<br />
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I am in love with almost every recipe in the book and decided to start with Chicken Pie and of course add my touch. This recipe if from Lori Allen from Say Yes to the Dress, Atlanta.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chicken Pie</span><br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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<ul>
<li>3 lg chicken breasts, bone in</li>
<li>1 can of cream of celery soup</li>
<li>1 1/2 cup self rising flour</li>
<li>1 1/2 cup buttermilk</li>
<li>butter</li>
<li>one bag frozen vegetables (this is my addition, I used H-E-B frozen soup vegetables)</li>
<li>olive oil</li>
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Directions:</div>
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Cover the 3 chicken breasts with water, cover and simmer for 2 hours</div>
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Remove chicken, cool, and debone. Discard chicken bones. Reserve chicken broth</div>
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Dice chicken</div>
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Using a small amount of olive oil, sauté the frozen vegetables until tender</div>
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Add 1 1/2 cups of broth, the soup, and chicken to the pan. Bring to a boil.</div>
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Place in a rectangular dish and COOL completely.</div>
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Combine buttermilk and flour, drop on top of mixture</div>
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Place a pat of butter on top of each biscuit</div>
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Bake at 450 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown</div>
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This is basically a very easy chicken pot pie recipe. I boiled, deboned, and diced the chicken and made the veggie, soup, chicken mixture the night before and put it in the dish. It made very a very easy week night meal to come home and combine the buttermilk and flour and bake.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Dj Bowtie'; font-size: 36pt;">Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-70236606589749774712011-08-31T17:20:00.000-07:002011-08-31T17:21:22.458-07:00Another Metal Chicken Has Stolen My HeartRecently I was perusing the closing pictures of 2nd term on the Camp Honey Creek website, when I came upon this gold nugget. . .<br />
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At first at I laughed seeing Melvin on his perch, but then it made me a little sad because my need for a metal chicken in my life was still not fulfilled. Then two days later on Sunday, I was walking into the College Station H-E-B (by myself because Daniel did not want to go with me) and what did appear before my wondrous eyes . . . .<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxF48LjUv1If3lEKy0LWhEGN6LdkcOCGVlI5yUt964u31jV6iaBp8oVMh32mB_rwGiaPzKxeS1so9YCWhhXlRFSwrpJY9Qq2qC8Cg940c3NbjEeJ0qKL0tWXS430TFLbeOgFVTNQ3MtqNc/s1600/P8281279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxF48LjUv1If3lEKy0LWhEGN6LdkcOCGVlI5yUt964u31jV6iaBp8oVMh32mB_rwGiaPzKxeS1so9YCWhhXlRFSwrpJY9Qq2qC8Cg940c3NbjEeJ0qKL0tWXS430TFLbeOgFVTNQ3MtqNc/s320/P8281279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A BIG METAL CHICKEN!</div><br />
Well knowing Daniel had given a quick "NO" to the last time I asked to buy a similar one, my hopes were instantly dashed. After getting everything on (and not on my list), I walked past the big metal chicken again and my heart longed for a metal chicken even more. As I was driving though the parking lot, I saw a small metal chicken and then it occurred to me . . . Daniel only said "NO" to a BIG metal chicken and he wasn't there for me to ask about a small metal chicken since he REFUSED to go to the store with me . . . .<br />
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I quickly parked my car and ran to pick up my small metal chicken and carried him straight to the check out. After purchasing my chicken, the cashier asked if I needed help out to my car and I told her, "No, it's ok. I am an expert with metal chickens." As I walked out the door, a woman stopped to tell me that my chicken was "hilarious" which led to a discussion about blogs and big metal chickens. I then proudly loaded my new chicken into my car and as I drove home I began to have a tiny feeling of worry that my new small metal chicken would not be allowed to perch on the front porch and would be shipped off to my classroom at school. So I developed a plan of action . . .<br />
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I parked close enough to my neighbors car so that when I opened my door, it obscured the view from the house window and I brought in MOST of the groceries. Daniel asked if I needed help and I told him to just take the ones I had and start putting them away since there were only two bags left. I quickly retreated to the car and grabbed the bags and my new small metal chicken. I perched him on the front porch and quickly shut the door behind me. So far all was good.<br />
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We had two friends over for dinner that night and neither commented on our new addition (well Claire almost did . . . ). Since I leave before Daniel does in the morning, I knew I had a good 24 hours before anything was said. Now it is Wednesday and no mention has been made of my new small metal chicken that I have named Charley. Good news Charley, I think you are safe! As the holidays start to roll around you now get to look forward to Charley being included in my holiday porch decorations! My void for a metal chicken in my life has been filled and hopefully the next time I ask Daniel to go the store with me he will . . . . because I now have my eye on a big metal flamingo.<br />
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-60860368564829686092011-07-29T12:54:00.000-07:002011-07-29T15:49:38.901-07:00Fish Stick Friday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">A meal so glorious, it needs no further introduction.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgvDR5pXxvDAFeXqN6G1-xSE5aOrSDrsjrFJQFzeoBl7obheRQB52K2Vhi-CsFqZ1fB7TCSJhhbvEdW_t0wGC6EjqWoA9g8YRgk6CzQHCglJPuZDHZg8sFpBMTw3mI-qmXw6HNiP8VdU_/s1600/IMG_1275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgvDR5pXxvDAFeXqN6G1-xSE5aOrSDrsjrFJQFzeoBl7obheRQB52K2Vhi-CsFqZ1fB7TCSJhhbvEdW_t0wGC6EjqWoA9g8YRgk6CzQHCglJPuZDHZg8sFpBMTw3mI-qmXw6HNiP8VdU_/s320/IMG_1275.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I know you are thinking WOAH! This is supposed to be a blog about delicious food cooked in my kitchen and big metal chickens and you are talking about fish sticks? Yes I am.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">For the last 25 years as a camper, counselor, and staff member, I could always count on Fridays as being Fish Stick Friday at Camp Arrowhead/Honey Creek (excluding when Merry 1/2 Christmas and Happy 1/2 Valentines fell on a Friday, then it was your standard holiday meal of turkey, dressing, green beans, yams, strawberry shortcake and the adored and glorified chocolate milk). This Friday meal ALWAYS consists of crispy fish sticks, creamy macaroni and cheese, bright green peas, and gooey brownies with icing. Today there was a little carrot action in the peas, which I really didn't care for. The important part is that there were green peas. It's a timeless meal that my camp roommate/mom's best friend/second mom enjoyed when she was a camper in the '60s. BEST. CAMP. LUNCH. EVER</span>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-9461035892798545242011-07-27T20:25:00.000-07:002011-07-27T20:25:26.010-07:00Melvin, The Big Metal Chicken<div style="text-align: center;">Melvin has been well accepted at camp. This was his first spot in camp.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now he has been moved to a perch in the garden area below the dining hall so that he can keep a watchful eye over the camp. He is very happy in his new location. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQxGl33zPS7RtyPRMAsZ7cCkh5En9My2ArvrZIc6YIlQT6M_EMlHTWPA-X3jBY_0Ozejxz337o8LEJcIozpgvC3g51mLQfSbbLKOQJB9CmCjDTb-poXMgYeV3dvEuT9yQBpGdl4wrCA3N/s1600/IMG_1268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQxGl33zPS7RtyPRMAsZ7cCkh5En9My2ArvrZIc6YIlQT6M_EMlHTWPA-X3jBY_0Ozejxz337o8LEJcIozpgvC3g51mLQfSbbLKOQJB9CmCjDTb-poXMgYeV3dvEuT9yQBpGdl4wrCA3N/s320/IMG_1268.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today, I saw three more metal chicken. How many have you seen? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Melvin was a great reminder about perspective today. I tried to make a "quick" trip to town during rest period . . . I should of known. As I was leaving Sonic, another car and I were bother reversing at the same time. I stopped and she did not. Of course I was in Jeannie's car.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EUsJJWrCLaqhkqsQnuKdZ2uhlKIbfqKYHdffk8dyA0nbdIS9Ste65EoFLT4XR3BTN7r-fTR4iCnPQzYe8v1cY2KVQa9PHtlUSrV_Ew0bKeeaQZQGPfqpvuClIlVbUiSgXh_gvBbZYKLm/s1600/IMG_1265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EUsJJWrCLaqhkqsQnuKdZ2uhlKIbfqKYHdffk8dyA0nbdIS9Ste65EoFLT4XR3BTN7r-fTR4iCnPQzYe8v1cY2KVQa9PHtlUSrV_Ew0bKeeaQZQGPfqpvuClIlVbUiSgXh_gvBbZYKLm/s320/IMG_1265.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few scratches and a minor dent. I was a little upset but then thought "remember the big metal chicken," and the bright side of it all is that at least it wasn't my fault! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7510145270299407329.post-69569390586313574672011-07-24T12:56:00.000-07:002011-07-24T17:26:24.151-07:00Perspective and Big Metal ChickensSo I have finally given in to the blogging world. I know it's not cute or attractive right now, but if you know me than you know that it is only a matter of time before its appearance is colorful and appealing.<br />
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So since this is my first post, what better way to kickoff off a blog than big metal chickens. It's a little long, but worth every minute of your time. I was inspired by a post on this blog: <a href="http://thebloggess.com/2011/06/and-thats-why-you-should-learn-to-pick-your-battles/">http://thebloggess.com/2011/06/and-thats-why-you-should-learn-to-pick-your-battles/</a> that my friend Dawn had posted on her Facebook. I all of the sudden began noticing these big metal chickens EVERYWHERE I went. I asked Daniel if I could have one one afternoon on a trip to H-E-B and I was quickly given a short "no" that left no room for argument. <br />
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Currently, I am "Pretend Jeannie" at Camp Honey Creek for Girls and as I drove through Ingram and spotted yet another one of these magical creatures on my way to dinner last night, the big metal chicken story played through my head. It then struck me. . . . the perfect Sunday Church topic. What better way to teach perspective than the use of a big metal chicken. After dinner, I was struck with an issue - where do you buy a big metal chicken at 8 o'clock on a Saturday night in Kerrville, TX. Why H-E-B of course! I had remembered seeing them at the College Station H-E-B and sure enough it was my lucky night. I spotted 4 of them perched near the produce entrance as soon as I turned into the parking lot. I hurriedly approached an employee inquiring how one goes about purchasing one these metal chickens. After a few hmmms and ehhhhs, it was agreed upon that the best way was to peel off the price tag and a bagger would assist with my new purchase. After paying for my purchase, the bagger and I made our way to the the parking lot where he proceeded to load my new metal chicken into the cart. When we got to the car my big metal chicken must have been hesitant about where he was headed because my chicken was stuck in the cart. Once free, my chicken and the bagger had a short struggle as he was loaded into the back of "Real Jeannie's" car. And as the bagger rolled my cart away and told me to have a nice evening I responded with, "How can it not be a nice evening? I am now the proud owner of a big metal chicken!" At last, I finally had my big metal chicken.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshMTVLHyZClb-hZHgHw_SygfKisuIeuL-ZiKNRKVOD1pmWKKD5gENNhCOLM02SKWbcAZ72vNr0ozsRZKbcCkxTToLQgJERqmLwgTtJVi_CHSV1tmw_2gmTEjaJRto42VUWMgxgAqHSa3C/s1600/IMG_1242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshMTVLHyZClb-hZHgHw_SygfKisuIeuL-ZiKNRKVOD1pmWKKD5gENNhCOLM02SKWbcAZ72vNr0ozsRZKbcCkxTToLQgJERqmLwgTtJVi_CHSV1tmw_2gmTEjaJRto42VUWMgxgAqHSa3C/s320/IMG_1242.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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As I rushed back to camp, I was struck with another thought . . . what if someone was already doing church tomorrow? It really was my lucky night, because no one was. So I, along with two campers, was going to get to talk about perspective and big metal chickens. The original story is long and not PG friendly, so after a little bit of editing and some original thoughts of our own, we had the perfect Sunday Church message:<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kristin: Good morning, this was a blog entry posted by a friend of a friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kathryn: This morning I had a fight with Victor about towels. It was basically me telling Victor I needed to buy new bath towels, and Victor arguing that I “<i>just bought new towels</i>“. I pointed out that the last towels I’d bought were hot pink beach towels, and he was all “EXACTLY” and I hit my head against the wall for an hour.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kristin: Then my friend <a href="http://thequeso.com/"><b><span style="color: #d40062;">Laura</span></b></a> came to pick me up to go shopping at the outlet mall, and as Victor gave me a kiss goodbye he whispered, “<i>You are not allowed to buy anymore towels</i>“. And that was exactly what was going through my head an hour later, when Laura and I stopped our shopping carts and stared up in a confused, silent awe at a display of <b><i>enormous</i></b> metal chickens.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">* Take the blanket off of the chicken. Turn signs around*<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Alexa (Laura): I think you <i>need</i> one of those.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kathryn (me): You’re joking, but they’re kind of awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Alexa (Laura): <i>I’m not joking.</i> We need to buy you one.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kathryn (me): The 5-foot one <i>was</i> $300 and is marked down to $100. That’s like, $200 worth of chicken <i>for free.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Alexa (Laura): You’d be crazy <i>not</i> to buy that. I mean, look at it.<b> IT’S FULL OF WHIMSY.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kathryn (me): Victor’d be mad.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Alexa (Laura): Yup.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kathryn (me): But on the plus side? It’s not towels.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Alexa (Laura): Exactly and we will name him Beyoncé.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kathryn (me): <i> Beyoncé. </i>Yes. And when our friends are sad we can leave him at their front door to cheer them up.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Alexa (Laura): <i>Exactly.</i> It’ll be like, “<i>You thought *yesterday* was bad? Well, now you have an enormous metal chicken to deal with. Perspective. <b>Now you have it.”<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">* Turn signs around*<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kathryn: Then we flagged down a salesman, and asked “What can you tell us about these chickens?”, as if we were in a fine art gallery. He didn’t know anything about them, but he said that they’d only sold one and it was to a really weird lady, and then Laura and I said “<i>SOLD</i>. All this chicken belongs to us now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Alexa: So he loaded Beyonce into our cart, but Beyoncé was surprisingly unstable, and the giant 5 foot metal chicken crashed over onto the floor. Laura and I were shouting “CHICKEN DOWN! CLEAN-UP IN AISLE 3″ but he didn’t laugh. The manager came to see what was causing all the commotion, and that’s when he found the sales guy unhappily fighting with our enthusiastically pointy chicken, which was almost as tall as he was. The salesman was having a hard time, and he told everyone to stand back “because this chicken <i>will cut you</i>“, and at first I thought he meant it as a threat, like “That chicken has a knife”, but turns out he just meant the chickens’ ends were sharp and rusty. It was awesome, and Laura and I agreed that even if we got tetanus, this chicken had already paid for himself<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kristin: We got to my house and quietly snuck the chicken up to my front door, rang the doorbell, and hid around the corner. Victor opened the door and looked at the chicken in stunned silence for about 3 seconds. Then he sighed, closed the door <i>and walked away.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">* Turns signs around *<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Alexa (Laura): What? <i>That’s it? That’s the only reaction we get?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kathryn (me): <i>That’s it.</i> He’s a hard man to rattle.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">* Turn signs around*<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kathryn: Victor was surprisingly mad that I’d “wasted money” on an enormous chicken, because apparently a 5 foot chicken ringing the doorbell isn’t funny. Then I said, “Well, at least it’s not <i>towels</i>” and that was the wrong thing to say because Victor yelled that he wanted it gone and stormed off, but I couldn’t move it by myself, so instead I said okay and went to watch tv. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kristin: When the UPS guy came I hid. He was all “Dude. Nice chicken” and Victor yelled, “IT IS <b>NOT </b>A NICE CHICKEN”<i>.</i> Victor seemed more upset than usual, so I finally dragged the chicken into the backyard and wedged it into a clump of trees to scare the snakes away. When I came inside, Victor angrily pulled me into his office to see that I’d put Beyoncé directly in front of his only window. And I was all “<i>Exactly. </i>YOU’RE WELCOME.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Alexa: I told him that he could move Beyoncé if he wanted to, but he totally hasn’t. Probably because of all of the giant rocks I piled on Beyonce’s feet to discourage burglars from taking him. Or possibly because Beyoncé is growing on him. Still, I can’t help but think that we wouldn’t even be <i>having</i> this argument if Beyoncé was towels. Honestly, this whole chicken is really a lesson in perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kristin: So now you are probably thinking two things. First, where can I buy one of these awesome metal chickens and second, what does a big metal chicken have to do with church service at Camp Honey Creek.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Alexa: Well I am glad you asked. This big metal chicken is all about perspective. Perspective is how we see things. Is the glass half full or half empty? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kathryn: Sometimes we tend to see only the bad and think that nothing is going our way and everything is just plain wrong instead of looking for the bright side of the situation. So today, we want to talk about perspective at Camp Honey Creek.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Alexa: If you think you are having a bad day because you tripped and fell on the waterfront and now you can’t do half of your activities and you have to wear an ugly, comfortable shoe for the rest of camp, remember the big metal chicken. Instead think of how lucky you are to have a beautiful waterfront to fall on, and that you have wonderful people to take care of you, lend you crutches, and give you rides in the golf cart. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">All: Perspective. Now you have it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kathryn: If you have 9 o’clock swimming and it’s SUPER cold, remember the big metal chicken. Just think how lucky you are to have such a beautiful waterfront to swim in when the heat becomes too much to bare.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">All: Perspective. Now you have it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kristin: If you are discouraged in Riflery because you are shooting for Riflette and need 35’s, but have shot 6 33’s in a row, remember the big metal chicken. Look at those 33’s as only 2 points away from your goal and shooting a 33 is a lot better than shooting a 23 or 13 or even a 3. Be grateful that your riflery counselor is there to offer you encouraging words every shot of the way and is not going to give up on you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">All: Perspective. Now you have it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kathryn: If you have tons of summer reading homework, remember the big metal chicken. Think about how lucky you are to have 2 hours of rest hour to yourself every day to work through it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">All: Perspective. Now you have it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Alexa: You might think you are having a bad day because your cabin didn’t get honor cabin and you KNOW that is because SOMEONE forgot to take out the trash, remember the big metal chicken. Instead remember how lucky you are to live with 13 sisters and best friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">All: Perspective. Now you have it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kristin: Staff and Counselors, if you are frustrated because that camper can’t remember the order of “pull and breathe, kick and glide”, keeps swinging and missing the tennis ball, paints someone else’s project, can’t remember their horses name on the 10<sup>th</sup> day of class, never has their letter home written by 4:00, is the slowest eater, or always forgets to do their chore, remember the big metal chicken. Look at that camper as an opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life and teach them life long skills, helping them become the best they can be. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">All: Perspective. Now you have it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kathryn: When you think you are having a bad day at Camp Honey Creek, remember the big metal chicken. How can it be a bad day when you are at a place where it is totally acceptable to have shower parties, where every night is a giant sleep over with your best friends, and where you have the opportunity to swim, dance, sing, and just be yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kristin: Where ice cream is better when you sing for it, where you can always be a rock star, and where life is able to slow down for 30 days. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Alexa: Where your clothes don’t always have to match, where you can try new things with endless support, and where you are loved unconditionally. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">All: Perspective. Now you have it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kathryn: When you leave Camp Honey Creek, these big metal chickens will seem to be everywhere and you will suddenly feel the urge that you NEED and MUST own one of these fine, colorful specimens. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Alexa: Every time you see one of these fantastic creatures, think fondly of your days at Honey Creek and of everything you have learned. Remember your friends and smile at all your memories together. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Kristin: And when life is not going your way, school is hard, you have a fight with your friends, or your parents just “totally don’t understand”, remember this big metal chicken and look for the good in the situation, because . . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">All: Perspective. Now you have it!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> It went perfectly and the big metal chicken is now named Melvin. After church, I had several parents inquire about where they could purchase their own big metal chicken and to let me know it was a good message. Melvin is going to be a part of Camp Honey Creek now. I finally was able to buy a metal chicken and Melvin will serve as a daily reminder to all who come into contact with him to look for the good in their day.</o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: 22.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15078152432437129973noreply@blogger.com1