Egg Roll Recipe

Here is a recipe my mom uses to make egg rolls.

Egg Roll Filling
1 lb. ground pork browned (can use cooked chicken or turkey, shredded)
shredded cabbage
chopped onions
shredded carrots
chopped mushrooms
water chestnuts (canned)
3 scrambled eggs (chopped)
soy sauce
egg roll wrappers

Optional (all chopped):
broccoli
green beans
califlower
shredded cheese

Simply add all ingredients you choose in a large bowl, add soy sauce for seasoning. Put a spoonful of the mixture into an egg roll wrapper and roll up. Fry for a few minutes on each side until brown. Serve with sweet & sour sauce, if desired.

Sweet & Sour Sauce
8 tbls ketchup
8 tbls sugar
4 tbls vinegar
8 tbls water mixed with 1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp soy sauce

Mix together and heat on stove until hot and desired consistency.


OK, that is the written recipe, NOW, this is how I do it.

1-2 cups of cooked shredded chicken
1 bag of coleslaw mix
2 small cans of water chestnuts, chopped
1 can of green beans, chopped
1 bag of velveeta shredded cheese
4-5 shakes of Soy sauce

2 packages of egg roll wrappers


I LOVE THESE!! I am thinking I need to make them again soon.

Chocolate Chip & Butterscotch Cookie Bar

Ok, I forgot to take the picture after we baked this cookie. It was very good and is now all gone. This cookie bar is something I make for my dad. He likes the butterscotch and chocolate chip combination. I planned to give some to him for Father's Day, but the girls decided they liked it enough, that we just ate it.

Basically I follow the recipe for cookies found on the package, but instead of adding the whole bag of chocolate chips, I just ad half and then use half a bag of butterscotch chips. Then instead of making them into cookies, I just make a bar cookie. It is a nice change to regular chocolate chip cookies.

Maybe I will make this again sometime and actually take an after picture and share it with my dad!

Homemade Doggie Treats

One of the things the girls & I wanted to do this summer was to make our dog some homemade treats. We looked at a lot of recipes, but ultimately decided on THIS RECIPE. It was simple to make and we had everything we needed.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 cup peanut butter (we used smooth)
• 1 cup milk

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375.
• Combine flour and baking powder.
• In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk, then add to dry ingredients and mix well.
• Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead.
• Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick & use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes
• Bake for 20 minutes.

Our dog loved this treats! We will be making them again for her sometime.

Carrot Zucchini Cake

I found this recipe in with my mom's recipes a while back. We made it our own, but another version can be found HERE.

Here is how we make it:

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1.33 cups vegetable oil
• 2.5 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 cups finely shredded carrots
• 2 cups finely shredded zucchini
  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar.
Gradually beat in oil.
Combine dry ingredients and add to batter.
Beat 4 minutes.
Stir in carrots and zucchini.
Pour batter into jelly roll pan.
Bake until cake springs back when touched.
Cool completely.

Sprinkle top with powdered sugar if desired.

Hashbrown Casserole

We finally took picture of us making one of my favorite casseroles. I blogged about it a while back HERE. Cassidy is a very good helper and is willing to help her mama with anything. So here is the recipe again:

Ingredients:
-1 can cream of chicken soup
-2 cups cheddar cheese
-1 stick (1/2 cup) melted butter
-1 bag (2 lb) frozen shredded hash browns
-salt, pepper, onion to taste

Combine all ingredient except the hash browns. Then gently fold the hash browns into the mixture and pour into a 9x13 greased pan. Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes, until top is browned.

Clean & Organized Cabinet

I am sure most of you have an unorganized cabinet in your kitchen. If you don't, I am impressed! Anyway, I recently decided to work on cleaning up my most unorganized cabinet. I forgot to take a before picture, but you can just use your imagination. It was so full, things would be about to fall out if you opened the cabinet. This was my tupperware (or plastic storage, because not much is actually tupperware) cabinet. It got so bad, I didn't use anything out of that cabinet unless I had to, I would rather put everything in baggies. I had enough! Lowes had a stainless steel cabinet organizer that I purchased. I would love to have these in all my cabinets, but they are a bit pricey. They are however worth it. As you can see, I now have a clean and organized cabinet. I LOVE it. I am able to find anything I need. Now, I just have to keep it looking like this! :)

Crockpot Cavatini

Not long ago, I was looking for a new recipe for the crock pot when I came across this recipe for Crockpot Cavatini found HERE.

I adapted it to meet our needs & the food we had stocked in our pantry. Here is how I made it:

2 c. pasta (any kind of noodle type pasta)
1 lb. deer burger
Pepperoni (from Pizza Pro)
1 jar (32 oz.) spaghetti sauce
2 c. Mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 c. Cheddar cheese, shredded

Cook macaroni and drain.
Brown burger and drain. Add the spaghetti sauce and mix together.

In a medium to large crockpot, layer 1/2 macaroni, 1/2 sauce mixture, 1/2 pepperoni, 1/2 cheese. Continue in layers until all is used ending with cheese on the top.
Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.
I used this garden delight pasta to add some extra veggies.

Here is a picture everything in the crock pot ready to cook. I didn't take an after picture, but the cheese is melted and it is yummy!

Kroger Trip - May 12, 2011

I made a trip to Kroger today to take advantage of some of the items on sale with the Mega Sale going on now. I also had a few things to pick up. Here is the breakdown:

Before Coupons and Kroger Savings: $83.24
Kroger Plus Savings: $36.72
Coupon Savings: $20.62
Total Saved: $57.34
Total Paid: $25.90

I saved over 65%!!

Here is what I got:

Diet Dr. Pepper 6 @ $1.25 each
-Buy 4 get 2 free (Kroger Promotion)
=$0.84 each

Captain Crunch Cereal $2.49
-$0.50 Mega Sale
-$0.50 coupon 4/17 paper (doubled to $1.00)
=$0.99

Motts Apple Juice $2.49
-$0.50 Mega Sale
=$1.99 (which was cheaper than the Kroger brand)

Blue Diamond Almonds $2.49
-$0.50 Mega Sale
-$0.50 printable coupon (doubled to $1.00)
=$0.99

Ronzoni Pasta 10 @ $0.99 each
-$5.00 Mega Sale ($0.50 for each item)
-$1.00/2 printable coupon or HERE or HERE
=10 for FREE

Boulder Canyon Potato Chips 5 @ $1.49 each
-$2.50 Mega Sale ($0.50 for each item)
-$1.00 printable coupon (use zip code 90210) or
$1.00/2 printable coupon
=1 for FREE and 4 @ $0.49 each

Mom's Best Natural Cereal $1.49
-$0.50 Mega Sale
-$0.75 printable coupon
=$0.24

Capri Sun $1.99
-$0.50 Mega Sale
=$1.49

Kroger Milk $3.35

Kroger Cashews $2.79

Kroger Non Dairy Creamer $3.25

Kroger Moist Wipes $0.79 (on clearance)

Crunch Candy Bars 2 @ $0.50 each
-$0.50 coupon 5/1 paper (doubled to $1.00)
=2 for FREE

International Delight Creamer $2.29
-$2.29 Free product coupon received in the mail
=FREE

Suave Dry Shampoo $2.99
-$2.99 Free product coupon received in the mail
=FREE

Kraft Cheese $3.59
-$3.59 Free product coupon received in the mail
=FREE

Walgreens Trips - Week of April 17

1st Transaction:
2 - Duracell Batteries @ 5.99 each
4 - Cottonelle Wipes @ 5.49 each
1 - Goody Hair Barrette @ 3.00

Coupons Used:
11.96 Walgreens coupons for Cottonelle (makes them 2.50 each)
1.50 Duracell
1.50 Duracell

Total After Coupons & Taxes: $23.85
Earned $3 Register Rewards for buying the batteries and $3 Register Rewards for buying the hair barrette.
2nd Transaction:
1 - Goody Hair Barrette @ 3.00

Coupons Used:
$3 Register Rewards earned by buying the batteries in transaction 1.

Total After Coupons & Taxes: $0.23
Earned $3 Register Rewards for buying the hair barrette.

3rd Transaction:
1 - Nasogel @ 4.99
2 - Candies @ 0.39 each

Coupons Used:
$1.50 Nasogel coupon found on the package
$3 Register Rewards earned by buying the hair barrette in transaction 1.

Total After Coupons & Taxes: $1.38
Earned $5 Register Rewards for buying the Nasogel.


I also bought some candy for stuffing Easter Eggs from Walgreens this week. I used my Register Rewards and paid very little. So, I now have no Register Rewards, but I got some good stuff this week.

CVS Trip - April 17

Here is what I got:
2 - 24 pack bottled water @ 2.22 each
2 - Nivea Body Wash @ 3.88 each
1 - 18 pack Cottonelle Toilet Paper @ 8.99

Coupons Used:
$4 off $20 purchase CVS coupon
-3.00 off Nivea
-3.00 off Nivea
-0.50 off Cottonelle

Total after coupons and tax: $11.75
Earned $2 Extra Care Bucks

Walmart Question

I recently had an issue with Walmart refusing to accept my coupon on a travel sized item. The coupon had no size restriction, so I decided to email customer service and ask what their policy was on accepting coupons on travel sized items.

Here is what I sent:

I would like to know if coupons can be used on travel sized items, if there is no size restriction on the coupon.I have been able to use my coupons in the past on the travel size items.

Today with I went to the store, I was told I could not use coupons on travel size items, even if they did not have a size restriction. The CSM looked at the coupon and said I could not because the picture was of the full size item. The items I was purchasing were priced at $0.97 and the coupons I had were for $1.00 off. I had a total of 6 items, so even if I was given the overage to apply to the rest of my order, it would have only been $0.36.

I do not want to misuse my coupons, but I was under the impression I could use the coupons in this way unless there was a specific size requirement. Please advise me on this situation.

Here is the reply I received:

Thank you for your message.

Dear Amy,

Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the acceptance of coupons at Walmart. Our guidelines generally allow for the following types of coupons to be accepted:

- manufacturer coupons (Cents Off)
- free merchandise (or manufacturer's Buy-One-Get-One-Free) coupons
- store coupons
- internet coupons
- soft drink container caps

A salaried manager may refuse to accept a coupon if it does not meet certain criteria.

Coupon guidelines and limits include but are not limited to the following:

Walmart only accepts coupons for merchandise we sell and only when presented at the time of purchase. Coupons should have an expiration date and be presented within the valid dates. Walmart will not accept expired coupons or double/triple coupons. Internet coupons should be legible and say "Manufacturer Coupon_ and there should be a valid remit address for the manufacturer and scannable bar code. Store Coupons must reflect a specific sale price or original price and must be available to all customers. For 'Free' merchandise coupons, customers will not receive cash back -- the cashier will adjust the value of the coupon to the actual retail of the item at the time of sale. In addition, only one coupon per item is permitted and use of 40 or more coupons per transaction will require approval by a Customer Service Manager.

Sincerely,
Walmart Customer Care

So, I guess they are telling me a salaried manager can refuse any coupon. I don't feel like they really answered my question.

I am not sure why I continue to go to Walmart. I go there a lot less now than I used to, but with all the trouble they have given me with coupons, I think I can do without Walmart. I can do most of my shopping at Kroger, CVS, & Walgreens. If I can't get it there, Target is only an hour away and I can always check at Kmart.

Who I Am & Who I Want to Be

I heard something the other day and I think it is so true:

You are constantly becoming the person you will ultimately be.

This really got me to thinking about my life and who I am now and who I want to be. I will have to admit, I do things now, that I wouldn't want to define me in the future. I see people around me and how selfish and uncaring people can be, but on the other hand, I see people who are loving and caring. I want to make sure I am taking steps in the right direction. So I decided to write who I feel like I am and who I would like to be.

Who I am:

I am a wife who doesn't have a very good relationship with her husband, who knows things could be better.

I am a mother who doesn't take the time she should for her children, who makes sure they are clean and fed, but, who knows there is a lot more to being a parent.

I am a Christian who doesn't read her Bible and pray as often as she should.

I am a woman who is overweight and finds it difficult to lose the weight.

I am a woman who has been depressed for several years, who is no longer taking any depression medicine, who is much better, but still has so far to go.

Who I want to be:

I want to be a wife who has a great marriage. I want to have a good physical relationship with my husband. I want to find things my husband and I enjoy doing together. I want to build a better relationship.

I want to be a homeschooling mother who has lots of time for her children. I want to make the most of each day with them. They will be grown up before I know it and I don't want to waste the time.

I want to be a Christian who reads and prays regularly. I would love to be more like my Grandma Wilson. She was so loving, caring and had such a sweet, gentle spirit. I want to be an encourager.

I want to be a woman who is no longer overweight, but a woman who has lost the weight and is in the best shape of her life. I want to learn and teach my family healthy ways to eat.

I want to be a good housekeeper. I want to learn to better organize our house and keep it clean.

I want to be a “finisher”. Often times, I am good at starting a project, but sometimes I find it difficult to finish the project. I get it to a point of stopping to a point of “good enough”. I don't want to settle for “good enough” I want to expect excellence.

There are many more things I would like to be, but these are a good start.

Intesesting Links

Recipes

These recipes look yummy!

Pizza Casserole

Strawberry Muffins

Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

Homemade Granola Bars

Homemade Dog Treats (I am sure my dog will love some of these)

Homeschooling Resources

These websites look neat. If I home school in the future, I think they will be valuable resources.

I Can Teach My Child

Sheppard Software

Recipes

There are a couple of casseroles I made last week and thought I would share the recipes.

The first is for Corn Casserole. My sister-in-law gave me the recipe, but I also found it online HERE.

Ingredients:
-1 box Jiffy cornbread mix
-1 can corn, drained
-1 can cream style corn
-1 cup sour cream
-1 stick (1/2 cup) melted butter

Mix all ingredients. Pour into a greased 8x8 pan. Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes.


The second one is for Hash Brown Casserole. You can find the recipe HERE.

Ingredients:
-1 can cream of chicken soup
-2 cups cheddar cheese
-1 stick (1/2 cup) melted butter
-1 bag (2 lb) frozen shredded hash browns
-salt, pepper, onion to taste

Combine all ingredient except the hash browns. Then gently fold the hash browns into the mixture and pour into a 9x13 greased pan. Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes, until top is browned.

"Paper" Dolls for the Bathtub

More Christmas gifts for the girls. This was a fun project. I made these dolls and the clothes from craft foam. I bought a big pack at Walmart. When you wet the foam, it will stick to the bathtub walls. I found this idea here. I got a little carried away making clothes for the dolls. Originally, I was only going to make one doll, but then decided that could cause problems. Of course, I will probably need to create something to keep these in, but that is for another day (when I find something good). Since they will get wet, I can't just keep then in a fabric envelope, I will have to find something better.

Monkeys (& Elephants) Jumping on the Bed

I made another Christmas gift for the girls today. They love the "Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" song and book. I found a magnet board story here. The bed, each monkey and each elephant has a magnet on the back. They will be able to play with them on the refrigerator. The elephants are for "5 giant elephants jumping on the bed". Of course, I had to make something to keep the pieces in. I created another envelope like the one found here. This time I used the "heat and bond", it is much studier than yesterdays envelope.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

I posted a while back about some homemade Christmas gifts I would like to make. I really haven't had a lot of time to work on any gifts. Here is the first thing I decided to make. We are decorating our Christmas tree at home and thought the girls would enjoy decorating this little tree over and over. I followed the pattern found here.

Then, I thought it would be nice to have something to store it in, so I made a fabric envelope. I used the tutorial found here, I just adapted it so I could work with the things I had.

Homemade Christmas Idea List

There are many things I am thinking about for Christmas this year. Every year I decide I would like to make some of the gifts I give. I bookmark each site I find with a gift idea I like. It can be difficult wading through all the bookmarks. So, I decided this year, I would post an list on my blog, where I can look at all my ideas at anytime and from any computer.

Decorate the Christmas Tree - again & again

Homemade Doll Clothes
Doll Clothes made from Baby Clothes
Craft Foam Bath Toys
Foam Bath Dolls
Tote Bag
Potato Prints
Mini Car Mats
Magnet Board Stories
Matching Games
Fabric Gift Bag
Fabric Mail Box
Fabric Mail Box 2, Mail Bag
Fabric Stationary, Envelopes, Post Cards, More Post Cards, Stamps
Teacup Bird Feeder
Rice Warmers
Cozy Hand-Warming Ice Scraper
Photo Blocks
Homemade Lacing Cards
Homemade Sewing Cards
Baby Doll Bassinet & Accessories
Felt Bookmarks
Owl Tag Toy
Fabric Memory Game


Sew, Mama, Sew - new ideas each day
Domestic Cents - 50+ Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas
Sugar Bee - Idea List

I am sure there are more, and I do realize I will not get all these things finished before Christmas. This list is to inspire me and give me something to work on and not have to look for something.

Ham Recipe

I recently bought a ham and cooked it in the crock pot by adding pineapple and brown sugar to season it.

We ate some of the leftovers, but still have some. I chopped it up and today I am making a Ham & Cheese Casserole. I tried to find the recipe online I use, but could not. I had to call my mom to ask how to make it again. This time I am recording the recipe on my blog until I can make my recipe book.

Ham & Cheese Casserole

2 cups chopped ham
2 cups velvetta cheese
2 cups cooked rice
2 cups Medium White Sauce**

After preparing the white sauce, combine all ingredients. Place in 9x13 pan. Cook at 350 for about 20 minutes.

I decided to prepare this casserole and freeze half before cooking. I will update you on how it turns out.

**I made a few changes to how the white sauce was prepared. Instead of adding all the milk at once, I added it a little at a time combining it a little along.

Chicken Recipe

Thought I would share a few things I have tried recently.

Over the weekend I make Barbecue Chicken Packets. They were pretty good, but I am not sure if we like them well enough to have them again.

We had leftovers, I hated to waste them. I decided to make Chicken Fried Rice and use the rest of the barbecue chicken. The fried rice had a little bit of a barbecue taste, but overall was still good. I make my Chicken Fried Rice using a seasoning packet I buy at Kroger or Walmart. I put chicken, rice, scrambled eggs, peas & carrots in mine. The kids don't like it much, but they pick out what they like.