Quote Friday

We can't live in the light all of the time.

You have to take whatever light you can hold into the darkness with you.

Quote Friday

We are not human going through spiritual experiences, 

we are spirits going through human experiences.

Quote Friday

A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night,

and in between he does what he wants to do.

Cook Bacon in the Oven!

Earlier this year I learned another way to cook bacon, and boy did I need it because every time I cook bacon I always burn it....and then the house fills with smoke....seriously, every time.

So this is my new go to!

Cook bacon in the oven!

Cover cookie sheet with foil first.

You can either do 375 degrees for about 20 minutes or

 400 degrees for 10 minutes, 

but I prefer the longer time because more of the fat renders out. 

Then all the bacon is done at the same time, meanwhile you were free to make the rest of breakfast! 

If you really want to save time, cook them til they're almost done and then, drain them and pop them in a ziploc bag and store in the freezer.

 When you want a bite take how ever many pieces out and put them in the microwave for 30 seconds.

Source: Martha Stewart

Quote Friday

An elderly man, in the final days of his life, is lying in bed alone. 

He awakens to see a large group of people clustered around his bed. 

Their faces are loving, but sad. 

Confused, the old man smiles weakly and whispers, 

“You must be my childhood friends, come to say good-bye. I am so grateful.”

 Moving closer, the tallest figure gently grasps the old man’s hand and replies,

 “Yes, we are your best and oldest friends, but long ago you abandoned us.

 For we are the unfulfilled promises of your youth.

 We are the unrealized hopes, dreams and plans that you once felt deeply in your heart,

 but never pursued. 

We are the unique talents that you never refined, 

the special gifts you never discovered.

 Old friend, we have not come to comfort you, but to die with you.

Lemon Blossoms

Holy Amazing.

These little things are pure deliciousness.

They are super tiny, so of course you can't just eat one!

The glaze makes them and they are sinfully good.

PAULA DEEN'S LEMON BLOSSOMS

You will need:

1  yellow cake mix

1 (3.4 oz.) instant lemon flavored pudding mix 

4 large eggs

3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

4 cups confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon lemon zest (about 1 lemon)

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

3 tablespoons water

To Make: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 Spray miniature muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, and 3/4 cup oil. 

Beat for 2 minutes. 

Spoon 1 tablespoon of the batter into each muffin tin,

and bake for 12 minutes. 

Turn the cakes onto a cloth towel.

In a medium bowl, sift confectioners' sugar. 

Add lemon zest, lemon juice, remaining 3 tablespoons oil, and water, stirring until smooth. 

Dip the cakes into the glaze while they are still warm, covering as much of the cake as possible.

 Place the cakes on a wire rack with wax paper underneath to catch the drips.

 Let the glaze set thoroughly before storing in an airtight container.

Source: Paula Deen

Pecan Pie

She did it again.

It's amazing how the Pioneer Woman convinces me to make things that I'm not even into!

I saw her make this on tv and it just looked so good, so I had to try!

It was super easy and very tasty!

Careful though.....it is super sweet.

Pioneer Woman’s Pecan Pie

Ingredients

1 whole Unbaked Pie Crust

1 cup White Sugar

3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

½ teaspoons Salt

1 cup Corn Syrup

¾ teaspoons Vanilla

⅓ cups Melted Butter (salted)

3 whole Eggs Beaten

1 cup (heaping) Chopped Pecans

Preparation Instructions

Get your pie crust all ready and rolled out.

Next, mix sugar, brown sugar, salt, corn syrup, butter, eggs, and vanilla together in a bowl.

Pour chopped pecans in the bottom of the unbaked pie shell.

Pour syrup mixture over the top. 

Cover top and crust lightly/gently with foil.

 Bake pie at 350º for 30 minutes. 

Remove foil, then continue baking for 20 minutes, being careful not to burn the crust or pecans.

NOTE: PIE SHOULD NOT BE OVERLY JIGGLY WHEN YOU REMOVE IT FROM THE OVEN. 

If it shakes a lot, cover with foil and bake for an additional 20 minute or until set. 

Required baking time seems to vary widely with this recipe. 

Sometimes it takes 50 minutes; sometimes it takes 75!

Allow to cool for several hours or overnight. 

Serve in thin slivers.

Source: Pioneer Woman

Steakhouse Potatoes

I found this recipe this summer and let me tell you that I can no longer make baked potatoes any other way!

I am seriously addicted to these!

You can add all sort of yumminess on top of them too!

I think I've already made these about 10 times in the span of 3 months!

Steakhouse Potatoes

To start off, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.

Scrub the potatoes under running water to remove all the dirt.

Pat the potatoes dry with a paper towel.

Using a fork, carefully pierce the potatoes two to three times per side.

Brush the whole potato with olive oil. This will make the skins nice and crispy.

Sprinkle the tops with some sea salt.

Place them directly on the middle rack of the oven. 

I like to place a foil lined baking sheet underneath just in case anything drips off of the potatoes.

Bake for 45-60 minutes or until a fork is able to pierce the potato with little resistance.

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.

Run a knife lengthwise across the salted top, leaving about 1/2 inch on both sides.

Using both hands, pinch each side of the potato.

While pinching, push towards the center of the potato, forcing it to open up.

Keep pushing and squeeze the fluffy insides up. It might take one or two tries, but it will look like one fancy potato once you master this technique!

Source: Iwashyoudry.com

Bacon wrapped Meatloaf

Let's preface this with that fact that I do NOT like meatloaf.

So I was REALLY skeptical to try this recipe, but since it came from the Pioneer Woman and every one of her recipes is a hit, I thought I would go for it....

and I am so glad I did!

It was really moist, had lots of flavor, and it was wrapped in bacon which gave it this really good caramelized outer casing which was delish!

I highly recommend this recipe....it just may change your thoughts on meatloaf!

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

Ingredients:

1 cup Whole Milk

6 slices White Bread

2 pounds Ground Beef

1 cup (heaping) Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

¼ teaspoons Seasoned Salt

¾ teaspoons Salt

Freshly Ground Black Pepper

⅓ cups Minced Flat-leaf Parsley

4 whole Eggs Beaten

10 slices Thin/regular Bacon

Sauce:

1-½ cup Ketchup

⅓ cups Brown Sugar

1 teaspoon Dry Mustard

Tabasco To Taste

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 Pour milk over the bread slices.

 Allow it to soak in for several minutes.

Place the ground beef, milk-soaked bread, Parmesan, seasoned salt, salt, black pepper, and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Pour in beaten eggs.

With clean hands, mix the ingredients until well combined.

Form the mixture into a loaf shape on a broiler pan, which will allow the fat to drain. (Line the bottom of the pan with foil to avoid a big mess!)

Lay bacon slices over the top, tucking them underneath the meatloaf.

Make the sauce: add ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and hot sauce in a mixing bowl. Stir together. Pour 1/3 of the mixture over the top of the bacon. Spread with a spoon.

Bake for 45 minutes, then pour another 1/3 of the sauce over the top. Bake for another 15 minutes. Slice and serve with remaining sauce.

Source: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl

Quote Friday

Do what you can 

with what you have

where you are.