Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Baked Potato Soup (recipe)

                                      Baked Potato Soup 
Thick and creamy. Uses leftover baked potatoes.

Ingredients

  • 12 slices bacon
  • 2/3 cup margarine
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 7 cups milk
  • 4 large baked potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 4 green onions, chopped
  • 1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium heat until browned. Drain, crumble, and set aside.
  2. In a stock pot or Dutch oven, melt the margarine over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in milk, whisking constantly until thickened. Stir in potatoes and onions. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
  3. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Mix in bacon, cheese, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until cheese is melted. 
I know that this is a soup but my family loves this, and I hope that yours does too.:) Pin It Now!

Caramel Apple Pork Chops (recipe)

                                              Caramel Apple Pork Chops

Ingredients

  • 4 (3/4 inch) thick pork chops
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tart apples - peeled, cored and sliced
  • 3 tablespoons pecans (optional) 

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees F (80 degrees C). Place a medium dish in the oven to warm.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brush chops lightly with oil and place in hot pan. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, or until done. Transfer to the warm dish, and keep warm in the preheated oven.
  3. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, salt and pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add butter to skillet, and stir in brown sugar mixture and apples. Cover and cook until apples are just tender. Remove apples with a slotted spoon and arrange on top of chops. Keep warm in the preheated oven.
  4. Continue cooking sauce uncovered in skillet, until thickened slightly. Spoon sauce over apples and chops. Sprinkle with pecans.

 I have done this recipe 3 times and it just gets better and better each time I cook it.

I will tell you that you can put more butter and more brown sugar in it and it will not mess up the recipe, I know this because the 2nd time i cooked it I didn't measure anything.

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So are we ready for school to start?

I know that I am ready for the kiddos to be back in school, but I am not ready to have to do all the shopping to get them ready.
I have been cruising around to find some good deals to help out on the pocket book, if you have found something better let us know.

I have found a great western consignment store, I have been a few times and found some great deals
(if you dont mind looking) 

S & S Western Wear Resale 
 1233 Mineral Wells Hwy, Weatherford 76086


I also found that Academy is having a great sale in the school uniforms, backpacks and shoes.
I know that some people get the sunday paper but if you dont I have posted the link so you can look.
http://academy.shoplocal.com/academy/Default.aspx?action=entryflash&
I know it doesn't look right but I checked it out to make sure.

Old Navy is having a 20% off sale online with the code onschool at checkout.

Ok school supplies this is what I found: (now this is only part of it so you will have to check your local store)
Staples
$.10 
composition books

$.25  
12" clear plastic ruler

$.50 
Westcott 7 inch Scissors
Staples 1 Subject Notebook, 70 sheets wide rule (cheaper than walmart)
Avery 5 tab insertable dividers


50% off High Sierra backpacks 


$1.00
Staples Photo Plus 4X6 Gloss Paper, 60 pack
Staples 3X5 Index Card Case
Staples 5.5 X 8.25 Graph Ruled Notebook
Memo Book 3 X4 with Elastic Closures
Westcott 5 inch Scissors, 2 pack
Staples Mini Stapler
Staples 3 Hole Binder Punch
Noris #2 Colored Pencils, 12 Pack
Staples Small Binder Clips, 40 pack
BIC Matic Grip, 4 pack
3M Command White Poster Strips, 12 Pack
Staples 3 X 4.25 Memo Book with Magnetic Closure, 60 Sheets
Staples Glue Stick.26 ounce 4 pack ( cheaper than walmart)

I know there is more in the add but a lot if what you will need is here, also if you do not have a Staples near Walmart will match the price and if they do not care the brand just ask them what brand can they comp for you.

A good place to find shoes is Shoe Depot, i know there is one in Burleson and in Cleburne and they are always having sales



Target
 $.20
up & up pencil sharpener
up & up 2 pack erasers
RoseArt glue 2 count glue sticks
RoseArt glue 4-oz. washable school glue

$.50
Poly folder
100-ct. index cards
FREE 24-ct. RoseArt crayons with purchase of one 
RoseArt 10-ct. markers or 12-ct. colored pencils
Standard-size book cover
 10-ct. PaperMate Eagle ballpoint pens
70-sheet Mead notebook

$.90
24-ct. up & up pencils
2-ct. up & up kids’ scissors
8 ct Bic Shimmers Mechanical pencils

If you buy shoes at Target hey have a buy 1 get 1 half off any athletic shoes.





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Thursday, August 4, 2011

The Beginning of Just a lending hand

I want to start with telling you a lil about me. My name is Jinna, I am a mom of 2 and a wife for 10 years to the most amazing man that a woman could ask for.
My goal on this blog is to help others by posting and forwarding recieps that my family finds desirable, things that i find that I think can help alleviate some the everyday stress ( such as tips on laundry and cleaning tips, personal health and skin care, etc.).
I am here to help and learn, so please feel free to ask any questions, give any hints that you may have to pass on and post any feed back on the info that has been shared on the blog. :) Pin It Now!