Just Another Day.......

    I just love it when I come to the kitchen and one of our kiddos is already busy working away on schoolwork! This particular morning was especially amusing, seeing Aden wearing the elves hat! I write often at my marvel of children and their natural joy in living life. I am grateful for these little reminders!
Love,
Jenny

Hot Chocolate Bar

          One thing we really enjoyed this winter was making a "Hot Chocolate Bar" here at home. I filled glass jars with: Homemade hot chocolate, variety of sprinkles, marshmallows, candy canes ( to use as "stir sticks," cocoa powder, and chopped peppermint. The kids really enjoyed going and making themselves a cup of hot chocolate with all the fixings!

Love,
Jenny

16 Bean Soup

               One of my family's favoite comfort dinners is "16 Bean Soup." I love it because it is really easy, full of protein, and very economical. ( If you have a ham bone, then this meal costs under $3.00) for an entire family!
We will usually have some leftovers, but not enough for a another full meal. So, I will get another meal out of the leftovers by repurposing with a  few of these ideas:

* Bake potatoes, and top with bean soup ( drain liquid off) sour cream and cheese
* Drain liquid off soup and put inside flour tortillas. Add cheese, sour cream, etc and waa-laa burritos!
*  Bake corn bread. Place a big buttered piece in a bowl. Top with lleftover bean soup ( again, I drain the juice off the soup.)
* Steam rice 3-6 cups ( depending on family size) butter. Then serve Soup ( drained) over the rice.

Hope you enjoy this easy, economical, and very healthy soup!
16 BeanSoup
Love: Jenny Burdge

Using a bag of "16 Bean Soup"( found on the dry bean isle at the grocery.) soak  beans over -night in two quarts of water. ( or do the "quick-soak" method.)
Drain and rinse beans.
Add in crockpot or dutch oven.
Place beans with about two quarts of water to cover. Bring to boil.
Add: diced two-three cloves of diced garlic, 3 Tbsp Oregano. 2 Tbsp Basil, salt, Pepper, dash or two of Tobasco, 3 Tbsp smoked sweet Paparika, 1-2 bay Leaves.

Enjoy!
Love,
Jenny

Possible 4-H Adventures in the Burdge House!

             For the past two years, we have been praying over, gathering information, and learning about the possibilites in breeding Rose.  I looked online for a "stud" and many people either: wanted hundreds of dollars to use their services, or lived hours away. Then, there the first person I really felt compelled to actually contact this Fall, low-and-behold lived right here in Denton! Her name is Marie and she is the owner of "Puggsly" who is apparently quite the reume' for the job at hand! So, together, Marie and I have been  patiently waiting for Rose to go into heat.
                Well, this week, it happened! I contacted  Marie and she happily has agreed to bring "Puggsly" here for a weekend stay! ( He should arrive this evening, if all goes to plan...)
                 So, we will see..... Not sure how Rose will do, or what she will think of this new little guy ( and his alterior motives....)  I am actually feeling a bit guilty in bringing  a new roomate around for a weekend for her. :)
                  It will be a bit exciting though to wonder "if "she will get pregnant. It is an opportunity I am totally new too. I have NEVER breed dogs before. I really thik it is something I would like the kiddos to experience at least once though, so hoping it happens! I would love any and all tips in the breeding process. Trying to "learn as I go."

Hopefully I will be posting soon asking for doggie pregnacy tips and then puppy tips!
Will keep keep you posted!

Love,
Jenny

Manhattan Clam

              This is a version of Manhattan Clam Chowder that my family really loves! We all enjoy the traditional chowder with a cream base, but this one, with its tomato base, is a nice change. And like many recipes I share here on the blog, this one is economical and packed full of flavor. The great thing about this recipe, you can cook it in the crockpot! Its an easy and cozy dinner to be sure.

Manhattan Clam Chowder
Love: Jenny Burdge

1/4-1/2 pound of salt prok, or bacon, diced or fried
1 large onion, diced
2-4 carrots, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp parsley
3 celery ribs, sliced
1 pound, 12 ounces can tomatoes
1 Tblsp salt
pepper
3 8 ounce cans clams with liquid
2 whole peppercorns ( if you have, or add more pepper)
2 bay leaves
3 Tbsp Thyme
4-5 medium potatoes, cubed

Combine all the ingredients in slow cooker. Cover. Cook 8 to 10 hours.

Hope your family enjoys it as well.

Love,
Jenny

               

                    A very interesting, sweet, (and yes sometimes even a tiny bit annoying,) thing that Rose does is in taking my houseshoes and hides them around the house when I leave. I often am a bit amazed at this endearment she has towards me.

                    As soon as I leave, I take my slippers off and leave them for my return ( because the moment I get in the door, they go right on my feet!) Its then, that she goes and finds where I have left them, and then hides them in the most random places around the house.

 On this one day not long ago, she had left them in a wonderfully sweet ( and thankfully this time, obvious place.....) for me on the back of the couch! now, if I could only train her to put them there everytime!

Love Dogs and their wonderfully unique and mysterious ways!

Love,

Jenny

Ralph's Pasta

This is one of our family favorites and a for sure "Go-To" meal in our house. My Kylie's husband Ralph made this for us for years in Spain. Its simple, economical, and very flavorful! Mix it up by serving the sauce over many types of pasta too.

Ralph's Pasta
1 Pound of Pasta ( I use whole wheat)
28 ounce can of crushed or chopped tomatoe
small can of Tomato Paste or sauce ( optional)
Half a package of bacon ( diced)

1/2 to 1 onion diced
1-3 garlic cloves diced
3 Tablespoon of spices you like ( I use all!) Rosemary, Oregano, Basil,
Salt and pepper
Parmesean Cheese
Add 2-4 Tablespoon of Olive Oil to a large saucepan. Add: diced bacon, onion, garlic and gook until tender. Add Tomatoes and simmer. ( simmer anywhere from 20 minutes to longer if you have time.)
While sauce is cooking, boil pasta to al dente' and drain. Return to pan and add 2-3 Tablespoons of butter.
When sauce is done, serve generous helping over pasta and sprinkle with parm cheese.
I love serving this dish with my "Tomato, Moz, Garlic Bread" ( Its in recipes on my blog!)

Enjoy!
Love Jenny