Buying & Organizing Gifts Ahead of time

August 7, 2015August 6, 2015 RefreshHer10 Comments

We may hate it when Cracker Barrel starts putting their Christmas decor up in August, but you know, they might be doing you a favor! If you buy your gifts that early, you’ll be far less stressed when the holidays arrive!

I actually try to buy most every gift months ahead of time. I want great stuff marked down, so every time I’m out shopping, I have my eyes open for a bargain. I try to have all my Christmas shopping done by October or November.

I even purchase random baby shower and wedding shower gifts, as well as hostess gifts for that invitation that catches me off-guard.

The names and gifts are blurred to keep the receivers guessing!

Once the gifts have been purchased, I write down what I bought under the receiver’s name. I use the maker board pictured on this post, but you could also use a simple notebook. I keep the board hanging in the closet where I ~~hide~~ keep the gifts. That way I know exactly what I’ve already purchased and what gifts I still need to be shopping for.

If you haven’t started buying for the holidays, now is a good time to start! There can be some really great sales in August. Make your purchase, then write it down so you’ll know what you have stashed away!

Anyone else have tips for buying early and keeping it organized?

Stay refreshed!

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Missed posting!

August 5, 2015August 5, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

Hello friends! I missed posting today, but will be back tomorrow!

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Olive Garden’s Salad at Home

July 27, 2015August 25, 2015 RefreshHer8 Comments

Feeling like Italian for dinner tonight but don’t have the funds to make it out to Olive Garden? Too bad, especially because their salad is so delicious. Oh, but wait! I have found a copycat recipe that is “just as good!” (said my husband)! Now you can stay at home and enjoy that endless salad from the comfort of your own kitchen table!

I’m not sure I’ve ever met someone who hated Olive Garden’s Salad. If you’re that one person, I’m so sorry. What’s not to love? It has

Crispy Lettuce
Crunchy, garlic croutons
Black olives
Parmesan Cheese
Italian Dressing!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I decided on tossed salad for our recent Apples of Gold class, I decided I’d go with making the copycat recipe for Olive Garden’s dressing. I found it where I find all good things…Pinterest! First, here’s how to put the salad together

Olive Garden Salad

Ingredients

1 (12-ounce) bag Dole American Blend Salad
4 or 5 slices red onion (about 1/2 onion)
4 to 6 pitted black olives
2 to 4 pepperoncini (if you like sweet pepper, use banana peppers)
1/2 cup croutons
1 small tomato, quartered
Freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese (optional)
Copy Cat Olive Garden Salad Dressing (recipe to follow)
Instructions

Chill your salad bowl in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Empty the bag of salad into the bowl. Top the salad with the onion, olives, pepperoncini, croutons, and tomatoes, and croutons. Add some freshly grated cheese, if you like. Add dressing and serve immediately.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing (from Dessert Now Dinner Later)
Yield: 1½ cups dressing

Ingredients

1 packet Good Seasonings Italian Dressing Mix – I used the Wishbone because it was on sale, tasted great.
¾ cup oil (vegetable/canola)
¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp white vinegar
¼ cup water
½ tsp sugar
½ tsp dried Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
¼ tsp garlic powder
½ Tbsp mayonnaise (not miracle whip)

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Whisk briskly so that there are no clumps of mayo. Keep refrigerated.

So here’s for staying home for an Italian dinner tonight!!!!!!

What’s been cooking in your kitchen this week?

With love from my country kitchen,

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Brunch in the Country

July 20, 2015August 25, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

wpid-wp-1436733054258 — I enjoy setting the tables differently each week. I used vintage half aprons on the backs of the chairs. They made a pretty slipcover and added a touch of whimsy.

I’ve shared here about Apples of Gold, a mentoring ministry that revolves around the Scriptures and cooking instruction. The Lord has opened the opportunity to begin our second group of young women. (Happy Cheer!!!) We have had two lessons so far, and it’s been such a blessing. My heart is always so full when they’re here! It’s the joy of seeing this longtime dream and vision come true. Proverbs 13:19 says, Desire accomplished is sweet to the soul. How true that is!

At our first session we had a brunch menu. I taught them to:

make their own frozen hash browns
make a quiche
Make an egg casserole
Bake English muffins
Bake Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll-ups

So much to cover, but we got it all in! Then the last hour we got to indulge and eat it! Here was the menu:

Breakfast Sausage Casserole
Bacon and Cheddar Grits Quiche
Hash Browns
English Muffins
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll-ups
Orange Julius

Breakfast Sausage Casserole (from Cooking Light)

Ingredients

Cooking spray

1 (16-ounce) package frozen turkey sausage, thawed (such as Louis Rich)

8 (1 1/2-ounce) slices sourdough bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 8 cups)

2/3 cup (about 2 1/2 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

3 cups 1% low-fat milk, divided

1 cup egg substitute

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed 30% reduced-sodium, 98% fat-free cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

Preparation

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add sausage to pan; cook 5 minutes or until browned, stirring well to crumble.

Arrange bread in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top evenly with cooked turkey sausage and cheddar cheese. Combine 2 1/2 cups milk, egg substitute, and Dijon mustard, stirring with a whisk. Pour over bread mixture in dish. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Uncover casserole. Combine remaining 1/2 cup milk and cream of mushroom soup, stirring with a whisk. Pour over bread mixture. Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 5 minutes or until set and lightly browned. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

wpid-wp-1436733037606 — This quiche is OUTSTANDING! The cheddar grits crust substitutes the normal pastry crust and is soooo good! The egg mixture is light and fluffy – a perfect start to a great day!!!!

Bacon and Cheddar Grits Quiche –
From Southern Living

Ingredients

6 thick bacon slices

2 1/4 cups milk

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup uncooked stone-ground grits

2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided

1 teaspoon black pepper, divided

2 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided

6 large eggs

2 1/2 cups half-and-half

1 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup sliced green onions

Preparation –

My Notes: I did steps 1-3 a day in advance. This simplified the process greatly!

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon; drain and crumble. Transfer 2 tsp. bacon drippings to a saucepan.

2. Bring drippings, milk, and butter to a boil over medium heat. Gradually whisk in grits, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper; cook, whisking constantly, 15 minutes or until very thick. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup cheese; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in 1 egg; spread in a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray.

3. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until set and browned. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese over warm grits, spreading to edges. Let stand 15 minutes.

4. Reduce oven temperature to 325°. Combine half-and-half, cream, onions, and remaining 5 eggs, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Pour over grits; sprinkle with crumbled bacon. Place pan on a foil-lined baking sheet.

5. Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until lightly browned and just set. Let stand 20 minutes. Run a sharp knife around edges of quiche; remove sides of pan.

These Cinnamon Cream cheese roll-ups served as a little appetizer when the ladies arrived. They’d make a great dessert, appetizer or snack! They are inexpensive, easy and a great treat!

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll-ups

Ingredients

1 loaf of thin, white bread
⅔ bar of cream cheese (8 oz. bar), softened
½ cup powdered sugar
¾ cups sugar
1 TB cinnamon
½ cup butter, melted

Instructions

Cut off the crust of the bread.
With a rolling pin, flatten bread.
In a small bowl combine cream cheese and powdered sugar until well blended.
In a separate bowl combine sugar and cinnamon – set aside.
Spread 1 – 1½ tablespoons of cream cheese mixture onto each flattened bread piece and roll up.
Dip each rolled bread into melted butter and then into the cinnamon and sugar mix.
Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Repeat for remaining pieces of bread.
Bake at 350 for 16-20 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.

This was not a low-calorie meal, but it was a mixture of things to introduce the ladies to different kinds of recipes, different cooking techniques, and prepping ahead. Brunch can be a fun meal to prepare, and then you won’t need lunch, so that makes the splurge a little less guilt ridden!

I hope you’ll try some of these recipes. It’ll start your day of with a happy tummy!

With love from my country kitchen,

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