Meal Plan Monday

Monday, Monday...

Yesterday my oldest and dearest friend Jamie came for a visit (we have been friends since we were babies in the church nursery together, went to the same school, and even worked together at one point). It was a wonderful refreshing time since we have not seen one another in three years. She was headed across country and stopped by my little home to spend the night.

I took her to a Japanese Steakhouse for dinner and had a wonderful time of food and fellowship. She had never been to a Hibachi Style restaurant, so it was fun to watch her experiencing something new and getting food thrown at her.

This morning I had to watch her drive off and it made me so that we don't get to spend more time together. When she is around all I can do is smile and giggle!

Here is this week's menu:

Monday: Leftovers

Tuesday: Bourbon Chicken (since I didn't make this last week, because I went out instead)

Wednesday: Pork Wasabi Tacos

Thursday: Beef Mushroom and Onion Tart

Friday: My Sweeties Famous Macho Nachos

Saturday: Shrimp Boil (for Double D's beach style birthday party)

Sunday: My Sweeties is going to be doing a Fantasy Football Draft so the kids and I are on our own! So that means anythings game!

Labor Day: Steaks on the grill

I'm A Fantasy Football Widow

Here we go again!

We have been waiting for Football season to return since February. Along with Football, comes Fantasy football and that is taken very seriously here at My Magnolia Cottage!

My husband is joining two fantasy football leagues this year and boy is he working hard to make sure he gets just the right players. He has spreadsheets of all the players and their rankings and on a nightly basis he plays mock drafts. MOCK DRAFTS...who ever thought of that! It is so funny to sit and watch him trying to get the best players, in a pretend world!

I have to say though it is a lot of fun to cheer on My Sweetie's players. By the end of the year, I know all of his players and their teams and their injury's. I even participated in a small fantasy football league at the end of the season last year, but I didn't do very well. But, I didn't place last, which was my goal. Ha ha.

I always want to encourage and support my hubby in any of his hobbies, because it makes him happy! And who doesn't want a happy hubby?

Does your hubby have a hobby? Do you encourage him and get involved with his hobbies? It is such an encouragement to our spouses when we participate in things that they enjoy and love. Even if you don't think you will like their hobbies or sports teams, it may surprise you that once you get involved, you might actually like it!


2 Samuel 19:7a
Now go out and encourage your men.

Queen Anne's Lace

I know that Queen Anne's Lace is a weed, but every time I see it growing wild in a field, I have to stop and pick some.

It reminds me of summer drives in the country with my darling Grandmother. We would pull over on the side of the road and pick as much as we could find. I still remember her holding her dress up as she would track through the tall grass and other weeds to pick Queen Anne's Lace. Then we would take it home and trim the stems and then place the stems in colored water. After a while, the flowers would turn whatever color the water was that they were place in. It was always fun as a child to see the flowers change.

Did you know that Queen Anne's Lace is also called wild carrot? If you pick the flower when it is young, it will smell just like a carrot, and the stem is also edible. (NOT that I am recommending this)

Other names for this weed are bishop's lace and bird's nest. However, I am fond of the name I have always known it by, Queen Anne's Lace. It is called this because the flower resembles lace; the red flower in the center represents a blood droplet where Queen Anne pricked herself with a needle when she was making the lace.

Back In The Saddle Again...

I'm back from a long week and weekend. This past weekend I took my son Double D home to my parents in Ohio for a visit. It is so much easier to travel with just one child when they are so small. We had a great time and my little man had a wonderful time being loved on by his girl cousins. Boy was he loved on! In fact the whole time we were visiting the girls had Double D upstairs playing, which gave me a chance to sit and visit with the family.

When we got home, Sissyboo spent the entire day hugging her little brother! I think she missed him.

I am looking forward to start blogging again and have some fun things in mind, so check back!

Here is my menu/recipes for the week.

Monday: Ham and green beans

Tuesday: Mom's Vegetable Soup

Wednesday: Simply Sour Cream Enchiladas

Thursday: Hamburger's on the Grill

Friday: Chicken Fried Rice, Szechuan Green Beans

Saturday: Crunchy Baked Pork Chops

Sunday: Bourbon Chicken

Next week...

This week has already been busy, busy, busy! I will return to blogging next week.

Latest Scoop on Basted Eggs....

Recently while watching Man Vs. Food, I first heard the term basted eggs. As soon as I saw the egg being pierced with a fork and watching the creamy yolk spill onto a sandwich, I knew right then and there, I needed to learn how to make a basted egg.

A basted egg is very similar to a poached egg, where the top and bottom of the yolk is cooked evenly.

Start just like you were going to fry an over easy egg by adding a little butter or oil to your pan with the heat set on medium. Once the butter has melted, add the egg. As the egg begins to cook, add a few drops of water to the pan and cover it so the steam cooks the top of the egg. A thin film of egg white will cover the yolk which should remain liquid. It usually takes about 1 and 1/2 minutes or till your desired yolk consistency.

That's it!

If you want a warm creamy yolk, this is an easy way to go. As My Sweetie always says, "Where have basted eggs been all of our lives!"

Meal Plan Monday...a little late

This week meal plan is a little late. I had so much to do yesterday, that I just couldn't get it done.

Monday: Sloppy Joes and Fries

Tuesday: BBQ Chicken, Neely's Coleslaw (this is our go to coleslaw) and Fried Green Tomatoes

Wednesday: Fish, Clams and Crisp Roasted Potatoes

Thursday: Pasta (not sure which kind, I guess I will see when the day approaches)

Friday: Beer cooked Brats with sauteed onions

Saturday: Dinner at St. Clair County Fair

Sunday: Peanut Butter Noodles

I hope you all have a great week!

Mexican Street Corn

I found this great recipe for Mexican Street Corn from America's Test Kitchen. We have made it numerous times already this summer at My Sweetie's request. If you want to kick your corn on the cob up a notch, here is a great recipe.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup regular or light mayonnaise
3 tablespoons sour cream
3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro leaves
1 medium garlic clove , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 teaspoon)
3/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
4 teaspoons juice from 1 lime
1 ounce Pecorino Romano cheese , grated (about 1/2 cup)
4 teaspoons vegetable oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or 1/4 teaspoon table salt
6 large ears corn , husks and silk removed

Instructions:
While grill is heating, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, black pepper, cayenne (if using), lime juice, and cheese in large bowl; set aside. In second large bowl, combine oil, salt, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon chili powder; add corn and toss until coated evenly.

Grill corn over coals, turning occasionally, until lightly charred on all sides, 7 to 12 minutes total. Remove from grill and place in bowl with mayonnaise mixture; toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately.

This is delish! (I actually boil my corn a few minutes before putting on the grill, it seems to make the corn softer).

America in Color from 1939-1943

The image above was taken by photographers of the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information during 1939-1943. The Blog Plog (Photographs from the Denver Post) tells us that these are some of the only color photographs taken of the effects of the Depression on America’s rural and small town populations.

The photographs are the property of the Library of Congress and were included in a 2006 exhibit Bound for Glory: America in Color.

These images are so clear and crisp they look as if they were recently taken. If you would like to see what America looked like during the Depression, click here: America in Color.

Meal Plan Monday

Happy Monday everyone. This Monday finds me a wee bit tired from this past week and weekend. The past week included a trip to The Saint Louis Science Center with the family and a visit from my cousin Angie and her family. Living so far away from friends and family, I cherish when my family comes for a visit.

Here is my menu for the week.

Monday: The Original Old Bay Shrimp Boil Fest (this was delicious)

Tuesday: Spanish Rice

Wednesday: Stuffed Shells (we didn't do this last week)

Thursday: Hamburgers on the Grill

Friday: Ham Steak and biscuits

Saturday: Surprise Day for my family (will blog about this later)

Sunday: Toasted Cheese and Tomato Soup

Blessings from my cottage to yours.