Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Apple Maple BBQ Spare Ribs

Deliciously tender and sweet :)  

Ingredients:
1 half rack of pork spare ribs
Seasoning (Alpine Touch, Brown Sugar Bourbon, Barbecue, Sweet & Smoky Rub)
2 Apples (cored and sliced, I used Gala apples)
2 Cups Apple Juice
1 Cup Water
Apple Maple Barbecue Sauce

  Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  place the ribs in a heavy bottom pan.  Add the ribs, cut if needed to make fit.  Season on both sides.  Make sure bones are facing the bottom of the pan.  Add the apples on top.  Add the apple juice and water.  Drizzle BBQ sauce on top of the ribs and cook for about an hour or until thoroughly done.  Serve and enjoy!

Season the ribs
Add the apples on top
Add the apple juice and water
Drizzle with the BBQ sauce
Serve & Enjoy!

Monday, December 30, 2013

Weird Things For Sale on Amazon Part 5

With the end of the year coming up I thought it was time to fit in one last Weird Amazon product article!  Not all of the things in this edition are necessarily weird, but they all have great reviews :)  Enjoy!


UFO-02 Detector
This gem of a product is described as a magnetometer interfaced with micro controller for detecting magnetic anomalies.  There is a small percentage of UFO sightings that can't be explained by any known aircraft or natural phenomena. It is this small percentage of UFO sightings that create an exciting possibility. Over the years real UFO sightings have reported simultaneous electromagnetic disturbances. The UFO Detector is designed to sense these electromagnetic disturbances and signal their detection flashing 16 LED's simultaneously and beeping. The elegantly designed transparent plastic case is a handsome sculptured conversation piece that's allows one to see the electronics inside the case.

Top Reviews:
"I purchased this gizmo to play a prank on my husband Brad, who still prattles on about his "fourth-kind" encounter when he was just thirteen. (The 4th kind involves a probe, if you're wondering. I keep saying it was likely his redneck neighbor dressed as ET, but that possibility is too dreadful for him to truly accept.)
On the anniversary of Brad's alleged abduction, I placed the device by our bedside, then set-up an electromagnetic wave generator under the bed, with a timer to go off right at midnight. (If you're wondering where to get one, I recommend the Skymall Catalog. I also picked up some Motivational posters and fake garden rock speakers to save on shipping. You're welcome.)
But back to my prank. It was all set to go, and I was as giddy as a six year old waiting for Santa. But like a typical six year old, I fell asleep before the damn thing went off. I awoke to the flashing of multiple LEDs from the UFO-02 Detector, and bolted up, eager to see Brad's petrified face. Aha!
But Brad wasn't there.
In fact, I wasn't even in our bedroom any more. Instead, I stood face-to-face with Leonardo da Vinci. Or perhaps it was Professor Dumbledore, I'm not really certain. In either event, It was a manifestation that the being I shall call the "Intelligence" had determined my brain would most easily accept for deliverance of The Message.
You see, the Intelligence had come to convey to us humans that the Imperative was nigh, that what we loosely dub the Singularity was only the beginning of a limitless existence unbounded by physical space and time, and that sugar-free alternatives are actually WORSE for us than the real deal. He made sure that last point was clear by making me repeat it twice.
When I came to, Brad was sound asleep in his tin foil hat, the UFO-02 detector was gone, and, sure enough, all of my Splenda had been replaced with little, brown raw sugar packets. When I tried to tell Brad about Leonardo/Dumbledore and The Message, he rolled over away from me, grumbling that I shouldn't eat so much ice cream or any dairy product before bed." -George Takei

*Ice cream will do it every time ;)

"I must have been thinking "what the hell?" when I bought it on one of my drunk internet shopping sprees. Usually those are bad decisions which I end up returning. I'm not sure how I even came across this device.
When it came to my doorstep I scratched my head, asking myself, "Oh, good lord, what did I buy now?" When I cracked it open I had a good laugh. I couldn't resist testing it out.
The strangest thing happened. It went off. Like, it REALLY went off. There was no one around. My cat was in the far back room. So I shut it off and waited for my fiance to come home. I was with him when he turned it on and sure enough it acted possessed again. He was about to tinker with it to see where the problem was when I went outside to check our mailbox.
The moment I left the front door, it stopped. When I came back in, it lit up like the fourth of July.
Like any concerned person, I was wondering if there was something wrong with me. After several doctor appointments, cat scans, and psychological exams, I could think of no one else to turn to. Except the church.
The Church of Scientology, that is.
I found out I'm not alone. There are about 8 million of us thetans out there waiting to find our way back home, to each other.
My life is forever changed. Now when I look into the sky, I don't ask "are we alone?" Instead I look at the stars and see my long-lost home, from which I and my people were exiled.
Earth is a prison. Xenu be damned. If I ever find his wretched soul I will kill him." -Paige Turner

*Perhaps we are all just here looking for home.

You can purchase the product here: UFO-02

AMSCAN Face Paint
This isn't just ANY face paint, it's insanely HAPPY face paint.  Just look at the man selling the product.  AMSCAN-Cream Make-up Face Paint. Easy on and easy off cream paint for parties; sports event and Halloween. This package contains one 1oz/28.3g tube. Available in a variety of colors. Recommended for ages 8 and up.  Nothing strange in the product description, but just wait until you read the reviews ;)




Top Reviews
"I have to say I had my doubts, I mean look how happy that guy is on the packaging - surely a simple face paint couldn't bring that much joy?
Within minutes of whiting up I was laughing like a lunatic - it's that good.
I've now purchased some of the other colours too and they're just as good. A word of warning though people seem to get really mad when you go out with the brown one on."  -T. Elliot

*It seems like this product is well worth the purchase

"I ordered this product last Tuesday, and after it was delivered to me by the usual delivery falcons, I immediately began applying it to my face and neck. However, something was wrong. No matter how much I applied, or no matter where I applied it, I just wasn't as happy as the gentleman on the box. I bought several more packages of it, just in case I'd received a defective batch, but alas, I couldn't recreate the male model's sheer sense of happiness and general well being. Then I began to think "What if it's not a problem with the product? What if it's a problem with ME?!"
I realized that it was indeed my own problems that prevented me from achieving inner peace and true joy, so I began selling all my possessions. In fact, the only thing I didn't sell was the face paint, because I keep the packaging so I can look at that man's face every day and swear that one day, I will be as content with life as he is.
But I must cut this review short, as the manager of this internet cafe doesn't take kindly to people sitting naked in their seats and attempting to pay with positive thoughts. I'll just wrap up with this: Thank you, AMSCAN. Thank you. When I bought your product, I didn't just receive one ounce of white face paint. I received one ounce of truth." -Derry W

*This doesn't make you just happy on the outside, but also on the inside :)

You can find the product here: AMSCAN Face Paint

How To Avoid Huge Ships
Yes this is a real book.  Sadly there is not a lot to be said about it in the amazon descriptions, luckily that's what the reviews are for.   This book does however come in paperback and starts at only $142 so you definitely want to get one for your collection, and of course your own safety in avoiding such a nasty threat before the price goes up.







Top Reviews
"As the father of two teenagers, I found this book invaluable. I'm sure other parents here can empathize when I say I shudder at the thought of the increasing presence of huge ships in the lives my children. I certainly remember the strain I caused so long ago for my own parents when I began experimenting with huge ships. The long inter-continental voyages that kept my mom and dad up all night with worry. Don't even get me started on the international protocols when transporting perishable cargo. To think, I was even younger than my kids are now! huge ships are everywhere and it doesn't help that the tv and movies make huge ships seem glamorous and cool. This book helped me really approach the subject of huge ships with my kids in an honest and non judgmental way. Because of the insights this book provided, I can sleep a little better and cope with the reality that I can't always be there to protect my kids from huge ships, especially as they become adults. I'm confident that my teens, when confronted by a huge ship, are much better prepared to make wiser decisions than I did. At the very least my children certainly know that they can always come to me if they have any concerns, questions or just need my support when it comes to the topic of huge ships." -Noel D. Hill
*Who would have known what an amazing parental tool this book could be used for.  I am sure that the author had no idea the depths that this book would reach in societal upbringing.

 "This book really is one of the best huge ship avoidance references I've come across, not just for the effective methods it teaches as to avoiding huge ships, but also for exploding some of the huge ship avoidance myths that many of us take for granted.
For example:
- Do not charge the huge ship at full speed in an attempt to scare it off. This may work with coyotes, but it is less effective with huge ships.
- Similarly, do not roll your boat over and play dead. Unless the huge ship is captained by a grizzly bear, this will not work.
- Do not attempt to go under the huge ship. This is typically not successful.
- Do not attempt to jump over the huge ship.
Captain Trimmer presents a rather novel technique for avoiding huge ships - move your boat out of the path of the huge ship. I know what you're thinking, this goes against conventional wisdom, but Trimmer presents significant empirical evidence to support his theory. Indeed, over the long run, moving out of the way will dramatically decrease the number of huge ship collisions you will have to endure in your daily life." -Cap'N Crunch

*I was so pleased that someone added some excerpts from the book as this one tragically was missing the see inside selection on Amazon.  I also feel much more informed thanks to this wealth of knowledge! 

If you would like to save yourself or your loved ones from large ships you will definitely want to learn how to avoid them by purchasing this book: Avoid Huge Ships

Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer
This is one of those products that is so fabulously simple and fantastic that I have been saving it for awhile.  It is one of amazon's greatest things for sale that actually helped to inspire this topic to begin with.  So here it is, my Christmas present to you to start your New Year off right.  Enjoy!  Product description is quite generic: Slice an entire banana in one quick motion. Fun for children and safer than a knife. Dishwasher safe.

Top Reviews
"What can I say about the 571B Banana Slicer that hasn't already been said about the wheel, penicillin, or the iPhone.... this is one of the greatest inventions of all time. My husband and I would argue constantly over who had to cut the day's banana slices. It's one of those chores NO ONE wants to do! You know, the old "I spent the entire day rearing OUR children, maybe YOU can pitch in a little and cut these bananas?" and of course, "You think I have the energy to slave over your damn bananas? I worked a 12 hour shift just to come home to THIS?!" These are the things that can destroy an entire relationship. It got to the point where our children could sense the tension. The minute I heard our 6-year-old girl in her bedroom, re-enacting our daily banana fight with her Barbie dolls, I knew we had to make a change. That's when I found the 571B Banana Slicer. Our marriage has never been healthier, AND we've even incorporated it into our lovemaking. THANKS 571B BANANA SLICER!"-Mrs. Toledo
* Not only a time saver, but a marriage saver.  Who know something so simple could impact so much.

"I tried the banana slicer and found it unacceptable. As shown in the picture, the slices is curved from left to right. All of my bananas are bent the other way." -J. Anderson
*Proof that you can give someone an amazing product but if they don't use it properly it can never be a lifesaving tool. 

 If you want to save your marriage or maybe just time, go purchase one now: Banana Slicer

Bic Crystal For Her Pens
BIC Cristal For Her has an elegant design - just for Her! It features a thin barrel designed to fit a women's hand. It has a diamond engraved barrel for an elegant and unique feminine style.  These could possibly be a sexist pen ;) 







Top Reviews
"Someone has answered my gentle prayers and FINALLY designed a pen that I can use all month long! I use it when I'm swimming, riding a horse, walking on the beach and doing yoga. It's comfortable, leak-proof, non-slip and it makes me feel so feminine and pretty! Since I've begun using these pens, men have found me more attractive and approchable. It has given me soft skin and manageable hair and it has really given me the self-esteem I needed to start a book club and flirt with the bag-boy at my local market. My drawings of kittens and ponies have improved, and now that I'm writing my last name hyphenated with the Robert Pattinson's last name, I really believe he may some day marry me! I'm positively giddy. Those smart men in marketing have come up with a pen that my lady parts can really identify with.
Where has this pen been all my life???"  -Tracy Hamilton


"I see this comes in a sleek design. But as a "full-figured" woman, do these pens come in "curvy and carefree"?" -Courtney
*I have to agree that these pens could come in more designs for ALL woman.

If you want to make your life better as a woman, you should get yourself some:  BIC Pens

*In case you have missed any of the previous Amazon reviews You can find them here

Part 4

Part 3

Part 2

Part 1

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Pumpkin Tiramisu

The delicious winning dessert from the December votes.  It turned out excellent!  

Ingredients:
1 14 oz can Pumpkin Pie
1 pack Cream Cheese (softened)
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 Cups Heavy Cream
1/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 tsp Almond Extract
1 Cup Orange Spice tea (brewed with 1 teabag and chilled)
1/2 Cup Orange Juice
24 Lady Fingers

Directions:
Mix pumpkin, cream cheese, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice.
In a separate bowl use a hand mixer to mix heavy cream, sugar and almond until medium peaks are formed.  Fold 3/4 of the whipped cream into the pumpkin mixture.
In a small bowl combine the tea and orange juice.  
Slice lady fingers in half and dip 2 halves in to the tea mixture and place in a single layer in bottom of the dessert glass.  Top with a thin layer of the pumpkin mixture.  Add more lady fingers dipped in the tea mixture either 2 or 4  depending on the glass to lay a single layer down.  Top with pumpkin mixture and repeat until you hit the top of the glass.  Top with a dollop of whipped cream.  Garnish with 2 lady finger halves. 

Mix pumpkin mixture
My sous chef helping blend
Mix the whipped cream until peaks form
The best part of cooking is tasting the beaters
Fold 3/4 of the whipped cream into the pumpkin mixture
My sous chef posing
Mix the tea and orange juice together
Dip the ladyfingers in the tea mixture and place in dessert glasses
Top with pumpkin mixture
Dip more ladyfinger halves in the glass and place on top of the pumpkin mixture
Add another layer of pumpkin mixture
Add tea soaked ladyfingers
Top off with pumpkin mixture
Top with whipped cream and add 2 ladyfinger halves
Serve & Enjoy

To view the other winning desserts go to:

Caramelized Banana Pudding

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

Apple Raspberry Crumble

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Christmas Gone Wrong: Dumb Criminals Part 5

I have missed learning about some of the many dumb criminals out there, so thought it was time to come back and do one more before the year was up.  Tragically, the vast amount of dumb criminals on a day to day basis would enable me to write these blogs for a very long time without running out of stories.  Today I decided to focus on dumb criminals that messed up celebratory occasions.

To start us off I want to talk about 34 year old Krysta James.  She was charged with stabbing her fiance' in a fight over the wedding color schematic.  Now I know that this can be a stressful time, but the worst person you can stab would be the man that is about to marry your crazy ass, pick someone less likely to mess up the rest of your life, such as the caterer ;)  Oh, and did I mention that this also happened on Christmas Day.  Merry Christmas to you haha.

You can read the full story at: Woman stabs man during domestic dispute

Decorating the tree with family should be a happy time...  but not if there is only an ornament with your brother's name and none with yours according to Lewis Atwood.  Atwood was charged with assaulting his mother while decorating the Christmas tree once he discovered that there was in fact NO ornament celebrating his name.  This caused him to punch his mother in the face four or five times.  Apparently he was intoxicated at the time and lead to a misdemeanor assault charge.  I have a feeling that one of his previous outbursts had caused his mother to long ago smash the ornament with his name on it....

The full story can be found here: Man attacked mother in Christmas ornament dispute

If you are a marijuana user, wouldn't you want some as a Christmas present.  Apparently Randy Jesus Valdiva thought this was a very clever way to smuggle marijuana, by placing it in Christmas presents.  This was no small operation however, he had 20 pounds worth of marijuana in large boxes that were wrapped to resemble Christmas presents.  He was stopped by police as they said that he had criminal indicators and he allowed them to search his van.  Inside the presents was enough marijuana for a street value of $160,000.  It could have been a great plan if he wouldn't have gotten stopped.

The full story: Man smuggling marijuana in Christmas presents

Christmas tree decorating can be dangerous business.  In South Carolina a huge fight ensued among three sisters over Christmas tree decorating as a result of two sisters starting to decorate while the third was still at work.  The women were aged 24, 61 and 76.  A male relative tried to calm the tensions, but things escalated from there.  As a result there was yelling and shoving by all, enough so that at some point the police were called.  No charges were brought but the incident still shows how important Christmas tree decorating can really be.

View the story and police report here: Christmas tree decoration fight

And last but most certainly not least is the most heinous of all: A South Carolina woman,Patty White,  who has confessed to killing a family friend and burying her under the Christmas presents...  Why might someone do such an awful thing?  Apparently over some money, she killed her and then stole some debit cards and tried to get cash out of her accounts.   The woman who was killed, Michele O'Dowd was letting White stay with her because she had fallen on some hard times.  What better way to say thank you for having such a kind heart, and a Merry Christmas to you.  :(

The story can be found here: Woman buried under Christmas presents


You can find the previous Dumb Criminal Articles here:

Social Networking Gone Wrong

Women on a Rampage

Robbers at their "Best"

Incriminating Themselves

Friday, December 27, 2013

Hilarious YouTube Videos Part 3

It's that time again :)  After my tear-filled blog that I wrote last night I wanted to leave you all with something on the lighter side.  Enjoy! 


In case you missed out on the awesomeness that is: "Channing All Over Your Tatum"


For any of my Jay & Silent Bob fans, here is an uncut version of the interview about the C.L.I.T.


Hahaha dumbass doing pranks about to die for farting ;)


The Trouble with Jeggings


And last but not least: The most awkward cats of 2013



If you missed the first two editions, they can be found at:


Thursday, December 26, 2013

Taking Things For Granted: Socks and My Sister

Today I was listening to a bunch of stories going around a room and there was one by a man who had been sitting quietly and decided to share his recent experience.  He was talking about how his bicycle had been broken and so he went to buy a replacement one as well as a pair of shoes (just your basic generic brand name shoes and some doctor prescribed socks).  He started adding everything up and realized that he did not have enough money to get anything and had to put the socks back because he had to have the bike for transportation and needed the shoes to be able to ride the bike, so the socks would have to be left behind.  Instead of feeling sad about this, he instead felt very thankful that he was able to afford the bicycle because he could not work or function without some form of transportation.  He was feeling joy at this gift in life.

I was sitting there listening to this story and it touched me to my very core.  I couldn't hold back my tears to even think about it.  I sit here and worry about so many stupid little things and this man can't even buy socks to wear with his shoes.  And he is happy for what he can afford instead, and feeling very thankful.  I was shamed that I could ever be living in a state that was not in constant gratitude because I have SO very much in life.  I know that I do my best to be thankful for all that I have when I can think on the times that I would have been happy with a quarter of what I have.  I wasn't needing anything for Christmas, I was so thankful to be able to give Liam what I could and was truly feeling bad that I could not provide more for him this year with all that has happened.  Although I have had my fair share of curve balls thrown at me, especially in this past year I have somehow managed to make it day by day, week by week, month by month, until here we are looking at a new year.  I have no idea how I have managed to afford some of the things that I have had to pay for, and I just send my thanks and my blessings out to the universe and am in gratitude for all of the amazing help that I receive in each moment.  I am so blessed that I only have to work one job to provide for my son, and that I am able to see him and spend time with him and feel comfortable in where he spends his day in the hours that we have to be apart.
I was overcome with thoughts of my sister more than anything.  I love my sister, I always have and I always will, but goodness knows we are polar opposites in almost everything in life.  we have lived together off and on since she was about 16 years old.  There have been good times, there have been bad times.  Somehow we always find a way to smile and joke and laugh our way back to happy times.  I know that in the last year and two I have been hard on her.  I am always making her mad for "trying to be her mother and not her sister."  I wish I knew how to be different with her.  I try really hard to be a better sister.  I am maternal at heart but I always think of her as one of my best friends.  I love her through thick and thin.  I was thinking about the stupid things that I have been mad at her for in the past and the things that we argue about and I felt so incredibly ashamed for some of the ways that I want my sister's thinking to be different than what it is.  For wanting her to see things through someone else's eyes.  I have always tried to push my own life's lessons onto her instead of really accepting her as who she is, no matter how hard it can be to watch.  I know that I worry about her more as a mom than a sister sometimes, I know that I can be the overbearing overprotective sister, I am the "party pooper" and the boring one.  I hate to see my sister in any pain at all, I always wish that I could take it all away and feel it for her and just see her be happy and free in life all of the time.  I have shamefully been envious of my sister at times.  I have felt that there was unfair advantages given to her for things that I worked so hard for so long to achieve.  I have wanted things to be "fair" to have been given the same punishments when growing up.  Whereas I would accept whatever punishment was given to me and serve it out, finding a way to own it and do what I wanted to do anyway, my sister would argue for days and get off virtually free in my eyes.  It was hard growing up seven years apart and having our own unique generation gap.  Somehow this man's story about socks made me think about all of these things and more.  I just sat there ashamed at myself for not being the sister that my own sister deserved to have.  I just wanted to break down and cry, as I am while I write this.  I just wanted to hug my sister and beg for her forgiveness to tell her that nothing in the past mattered that the only thing that mattered in life was that she was my sister and I loved her with all of my heart.  Although I did get to see my sister later in the day it was amidst chaos and I was able to convey at lest part of this message to her and hug her and tell her that I was truly sorry.  I am so thankful for that opportunity even if the emotions I felt then and that I feel now have no comparison in words....

To end the man's story he went to check out and before leaving the store, he was stopped by someone who handed him a shopping bag, inside of the bag was the pair of socks that he was unable to afford, and he was simply told that someone had purchased them for him.  He eyes filled with tears as he told this part, and I felt like I must be the most selfish person in the room.  I wanted to go out and buy everyone socks and hide out in stores to watch what people put back and anonymously buy them for them when they seem unable to get it themselves.  I wanted to give away so many of Liam's toys to someone who could better use them in mass amounts.  (I am still in search of a needy family for this purpose). 

Anyway to sum up this post, I just wanted to share how this man's story effected my way of thinking and my emotions and hope that maybe even one person can read it and feel the need to act as well. 
For after all this is the season for loving and giving to those in need.


My beautiful sister and I

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Christmas Corned Beef Recipe

Grocery shopping with the Christmas crazy crowd while deliriously sick leads to things like buying corned beef brisket instead of regular beef brisket, as well as, accidentally leaving your car on and running the entire time you shop.  I don't recommend it to anyone haha.  Luckily I love corned beef and this made for a delicious Christmas meal.

Ingredients:
3 lb Corned Beef Brisket
Seasoning (Thyme, Chophouse Steak & Beef Rub, Mediterranean Spiced Sea Salt)
1 1/2 Cups Chicken Stock
1 tea bag of finely ground Earl Grey Tea

Directions:
Place the corned beef brisket in the slow cooker and season on both sides with the seasoning.  Cook with the fat side up.  Spread the spice packet over the top of the brisket.  
Pour the chicken stock into the cooker on the sides to preserve as much of the seasoning on the top of the corned beef as possible.  Add water until the level of liquid comes up to just the top without covering.  Open the Earl Grey packet and sprinkle it all around the slow roaster.  
Cook for high for about 2 hours and turn down to low for about another hour to hour and a half.  The roast is now done and ready to serve! 

Season the brisket in the slow cooker
Serve & enjoy

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Not having seen this movie in many years I got it in the mail from Netflix to share with Liam.  He was definitely into it.  Not quite in same way that he is enamored with Bolt, but he was definitely not trying to eject it and watch something else.  I had recently seen something that saddened me stating that this movie came out 20 years ago and that all of the animals in it are now dead.  :( 

I still loved this movie just as much if not more than I had as a child.  I do think that watching it as an adult that I definitely cried a lot more.  I was trying to remember if I had cried watching it as a child.  The story was still just as great and had more depth as an adult.

In case you have missed out on the awesomeness that it is Homeward Bound you must know that it is based on the best-selling book The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford and is also a remake of the 1963 film with the same title as the book.  Homeward Bound was released in 1993.   The story is about 3 house pets.  Chance a bulldog that was recently rescued from the pound.  Shadow a golden retriever and Sassy a Himalayan cat.  They each have their own child owner whose mother has recently gotten married to a man that needs them to move to San Francisco.  The pets are then sent to stay at an aunt's farm and feel as though they have been abandoned and decide to head home on their own across the mountains.

In it's release in 1993 the film grossed over $40 million.   In 1996 a sequel was released about the same animals being lost in San Francisco. The film was shot at various locations in Oregon. 

Overall this movie is excellent and I give it 5 stars.  If you have never seen it you are missing out and must give it a try.  If you have it is a must for a revisit.

For the official Disney link you can go to Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey


Monday, December 23, 2013

Pizza Pot Pies

December Main Dish Winner!  A delicious winning dish.  Pretty easy and great tasting.

Ingredients:
 1 lb Italian Sausage
Seasoning (Basil, Alpine Touch, Garlic Powder, Oregano)
2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts  (softened as directed on the box)
 3 Cups Tomato Basil Sauce
1 Cup Black Olives (chopped)
1 Tbsp Dried Basil
2 Cups Grated Mozzarella Cheese
1 Cup  Grated Three Cheddar Cheese

Directions:
Add the sausage to the pan and season.  Brown on medium heat.
Heat oven to 375°F. Remove pie crust from pouch; unroll on cutting board. Place 14-oz ramekin  on crust; cut 1/4 inch from edge of ramekin to make crust round. Cut 3 more crust rounds from crust.  You should be able to make a third one from the initial crust if you combine the remaining dough and roll it out with a rolling pin, or you can just cut two from the second crust (they are sold in packs of two anyway)
In a bowl, mix sausage, black olives and sauce. Fill each 14-oz ramekin 3/4 up with sausage mixture. Sprinkle each with mozzarella cheese and basil.
Wet inside of each crust round; place over filled ramekins. Press down around edge of crust rounds. Sprinkle tops with Cheddar cheese. Place ramekins on cookie sheet.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until crusts are lightly browned.

Brown Sausage
Mix the sauce, sausage & black olives together in a bowl
Add the sausage mixture 3/4 of the way into the ramekin
Add the basil
Top with the mozzarella cheese
Cover with the pie crust
Top with the cheddar cheese
Cook until browned and cheese is melted. 
 
To view the past winning main dishes you can click on any of the following links:


Sunday, December 22, 2013

Happy Third Birthday

Today marks the end of the first three years that Liam and I have spent together as a family.  Never in my life have I known such love and been so thankful as I have in the past three years.  I never knew what life was all about until I look into his eyes, heard his first heart beat, felt his first kick, saw his first smile, heard his first laugh.  Just when you think that there is no possible way that you could EVER love someone anymore than you already do, he finds a way to blow past the barriers of your heart and make it even bigger and even fuller.  I have been so blessed to be chosen as his mother in this lifetime.  There is absolutely no accident that him and I were paired with one another.  I do my best to teach him every day but instead end up learning more than I could ever teach.  I Strive to be the best mother that I can be and live up to the daunting task of giving him the life, teachings, love, happiness that he deserves.  I only hope that he can look back and know that I have tried my best on good days and bad days.  That each time I saw his smile my heart burst with love, and felt his little arms around my neck and his kiss upon my cheek.  I am so lucky to have such an amazing being in my life.  I can't wait to spend many more years to come together.  I love you so much my little Liam, and I hope that you know your worth in life and how many people love you.  Happy Birthday to my number one man, Liam.    Three birthday parties for his third year :)