People with OCD, spell it CDO!

Our little Texas town is soggy today! Yesterday was a full day of rain, drizzle, rain, drizzle, repeat...and we are so very thankful!

Little Man even enjoyed the moisture, it gave him an excuse to wear his frog rain coat. Ribbit. With no sign of the skies clearing, he headed out to become one with the mud puddles! Ribbit.

His adventure lasted all of 20 minutes and back inside he came, wet from head to toe. So thankful for that rain coat...why didn't I think of rain pants? Oh well, this is life with boys.

(I'll post the puddle photo journal tomorrow.)

With a dry change of clothes (#3 for the day), I dug into my "rainy day activities" bin and a race track in the kitchen was born!

Who knew electric tape, boxes, and a sharpie could be so much fun?

Here's the OCD...uh hum, CDO...part (because people with true OCD can't stand for the letters to be out of order). Do you see it? Is it just me that has the twitch? I know, I'm crazy...batty...nuts...but does it bother you too?

Okay, for those of you who live carefree lives without color coded closets, I aspire to be like you! I was in such a frenzy to occupy my toddler with a severe case of cabin fever I didn't even notice I cut the boxes upside down (and sideways).

I'm sharing this because I know I'm not alone, there are others out there. Moms who organize bookshelves according to book height, who make sure socks are turned right side in before turning inside out, who arrange cans in the pantry based on category, and separate accessories by degree of "sparkle".

Let us unite! May we make the world a better place, one label at a time. (Support Group time and location to be announced!)


PS. Maybe the fact I didn't immediately notice the boxes were upside down (and sideways) means I'm not clinically OCD! You think? There's hope.


Happy Monday, friends!

Le Creuset GIVEAWAY! WINNER!

******************** WINNER *********************
Stephanie Daws! Congrats!
Email your contact information to wifemcfrugal@gmail.com.
Thank you to all who participated, you ladies are the best!
Stay tuned, there's more Le Creuset to come!
**************************************************

The day I was introduced to Le Creuset, my life was complete! Cooking became more than necessary,  it became festive!

In my thirties, I adopted the concept of "quality over quantity"! Over the years, I've slowly established my "quality" collection and handed down my mismatched Pyrex...confession, I still have a few trusty old pals I can't yet part with!

Today, because it's Saturday, because I love Le Creuset colorful cooking and because I love you, I'm giving away the small oval baking dish in this lovely grass color (in honor of Spring)!

To enter, simply comment below with your favorite color. Is it red? Yellow? Clear? Sparkle?

Winner will be selected randomly on Monday evening (April 7th).

Happy registering and be sure to tell your friends...they'll love you for it!

See you Monday!

Pepperoncini Pulled Pork Sandwich

Greetings, pork fans! How was the pizza yesterday? Do you love barbecue even more than you did before? Is that possible? At my funeral, don't worry about my makeup just rub some barbecue sauce on my face and put a pork rib in my hand. That sounded a lot less Redneck in my head!

Today is day #2 of the pork roast . I love recipes that last for two meals, it's like finding a stray piece of chocolate in the bottom of your purse when you're hungry! So satisfying and so little effort!

Pepperoncini Pulled Pork Sandwich
Leftover pork from yesterday's recipe (see recipe here)
1 tablespoon of butter
Sandwich buns
Grated parmesan

Reheat leftover pork with pepperoncini peppers and juice (in microwave or oven).

Set oven to broil and butter your buns (sounds like a southern saying).

Side note: My favorite sandwich buns are the Wheat Bolillios from Wal-Mart (pictured below). Even Super Hunk, who is an open bread loafer...err, loather, likes them! I promise, they'll make you say "Mmmmm"!

Place buttered buns in oven to broil until slightly golden. Don't walk away, don't do it! The fate of your buttered buns depends on your undivided attention! Walking away results in charred buns! Ouch!

When buns are buttered and broiled, top with warm pork and peppers. Sprinkle on a little grated parmesan and voila, the perfect leftovers!

Happy weekend, friends! Hope it's filled with laughter and leftovers!

(In case you missed yesterday's recipe, read the complete post here.)

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How To S.O.A.P. Your Quiet Time

I read this today and knew I had to share! Such a simple method that changed my perspective on reading my Bible. I hope it encourages you too!

(Photo from goodmorninggirls.org)

Why S.O.A.P. it?

It’s one thing to simply read scripture, but when you interact with it, when you learn to slow down to REALLY read it,  suddenly words start popping off the page. By SOAPing your verses you are able to dig deeper into scripture and “see” more than if you simply read the verses and then went on your merry way. Let me encourage you to take the time to S.O.A.P. the daily verses and see for yourself how much more you get out of your daily reading……you’ll be amazed.

What does S.O.A.P. mean?

S- The S stands for Scripture- you physically write out the scripture……you’ll be amazed what God will reveal to you just by taking the time to slow down and actually write out what you are reading!

O- The O stands for observation- what do you see in the verses that you’re reading? Who is the audience? Is there a repetition of words? What words stand out to you?

A- The A stands for Application- this is when God’s Word becomes personal. What is God saying to me today? How can I apply what I just read to my own personal life? What changes do I need to make? Is there an action I need to take?

P- And finally P stands for Prayer. Pray God’s Word back to Him. If He has revealed something to you during this time in His Word, pray about it. Confess if He has revealed some sin that is in your life.

Studying God’s Word like this can take as little or as long as you have time to give. Some days it can take just 10 or 15 minutes, other days longer. 

For the full article, visit www.goodmorninggirls.org. This is an excellent blog full of inspiration and encouragement!

Let's grow in faith, together!

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Barbecue Pork Pizza

When planning my weekly meals, my goal is leftovers. Believe it or not, leftovers are complex...sneaky...covert. They have the potential to transform into a completely different dish with a few minor changes.

I recently did the happy dance at our local grocery store over a BOGO sale on pork loin roast (don't worry, they know me and weren't surprised...I hope it doesn't end up on YouTube, my running man needs work). Score! Filled the freezer and saved my moola, double score!

With our house being Crazytown lately, it's difficult to anticipate meal time (we've temporarily adopted the "grab and go" method of nourishment).

My crock pot, as always, has been a faithful friend!

With my pork roast thawed, in it goes! Low heat and 5 hours later, two meals are cooked and I'm feeling quite accomplished. If only I could get my washer and dryer to do the same!

First meal...Barbecue Pork Pizza! I know this seems outlandish but trust me, oh...my-lanta! My first bite was quite the experience, there might have been a few "When Harry Met Sally" noises happening but I'll never tell!

Stay tuned for lunch tomorrow!

Ingredients

1 pork loin roast

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup water

1 tablespoon garlic salt

1 jar pepperoncini peppers

1 pizza dough (store bought or find my favorite dough recipe here. I added a little basil.)

1 cup barbecue sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 green bell pepper

1 1/2 cup grated mozzarella

1 cup grated parmesan

1 chopped jalapeno (optional)

Directions

Place roast in crock pot on low heat. Mix water and Worcestershire and pour over roast. Drain juice from pepperoncini jar and pour peppers over roast. Sprinkle garlic salt on top. Close lid and cook for 5-6 hours (my favorite part is the aroma, it makes my house smell heavenly).

When pork is done (should pull apart easily), remove from crock pot and let cool. Chop 2 cups and set aside for pizza topping. Strain peppers and place in storage container, add remaining meat to container and place in fridge for tomorrow's meal (I usually add a little juice to keep it moist and add flavor).

For pizza dough, flour rolling surface (and play in the flour, I can't help myself). 

Roll out dough to desired thickness (I love freeform food). Place on baking sheet.

Spread barbecue sauce on pizza. Use more or less, there's no right or wrong. If this is wrong, I don't want to be right!

I skillet, over medium heat, add olive oil. Toss in sliced bell pepper and let cook until slightly tender (as you can see, I walked away and BOOM, blackened edges).

When bell peppers are cooked, sprinkle over pizza dough.

Add grated mozzarella.

Add chopped pork.

Add grated parmesan.

Cook in 500 degree oven for 12-15 minutes (I like my crust crunchy so I go the full 15). While waiting, dice your jalapeno.

When cooked, sprinkle with chopped jalapeno (I did half with jalapeno for Mommy & Daddy, half without for Little Man).



Slice and serve with a delicious side salad!

"I'll have a piece...or two...or three...step away from the pizza!"

I hope your family enjoys this as much as my crew! Enjoy and stay tuned for tomorrow's recipe using the rest of your roast!

If you're looking for another great pizza recipe, try my Meatball Pizza.

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Spaghetti & Meatballs Cupcakes

I'm not a big prankster so the fun of April Fool's Day is usually lost on me. However, I embrace any opportunity to play with food...and we all know how much I love meatballs!

Spaghetti and Meatballs Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 white cake mix (9 oz)

1 cream cheese or vanilla frosting (16 oz)

3 drops of yellow food coloring

3/4 cup low sugar strawberry preserves (I added a drop of red food coloring)

11  hazelnut chocolates (Ferrero Rocher) – unwrapped

2 tablespoons grated white chocolate (optional)

Directions:

Make your cupcakes according to box instructions and let them cool.

Tint the frosting with the yellow food coloring. Spread a thin layer of tinted frosting on top of the cupcakes. Arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter, touching.

Spoon the remaining tinted frosting into a Ziploc bag. Snip a small corner from the bag (1/8 inch).

Now, have fun piping the frosting all over the cupcakes to make the noodles (this was my favorite part). Make sure to pile the “noodles” high and have some of the “noodles” hang over the edges of the cupcakes.

Mix the chocolates with the strawberry preserves in a bowl to coat. Spoon some of the preserves on top of each cupcake. Place a chocolate on top of each cupcake. With a spoon, drizzle cupcakes with the remaining strawberry preserves.

Sprinkle the grated white chocolate over the cupcakes to look like Parmesan cheese (optional).

Happy April Fool's Day!

Be careful, the meatballs tend to roll off...onto the floor!

Nope, that was my husband...the Meatball Bandit!

(Original recipe from Hip2Save)

Crazy Yummy Nuts!

To prevent confusion, the recipe is called Sweet & Spicy Nuts. However, the recipe is so crazy yummy it just seemed apropos to give you full information!

I had a specific request to post this recipe from a dear friend...shout out to Arlana in AZ-town! I featured these nutty superstars on my Thanksgiving menu and they didn't disappoint. Now, nuts in Arizona will be bathing in sweet and spicy nectar birthed in a tasty Texas kitchen.

In hindsight, using the words "birthed" and "kitchen" in the same sentence makes me queasy...and will NEVER happen again! My apologies!

No matter if you're craving a nutty snack or headed to a party (church function, baby shower, office gathering), you'll be handing out this recipe! Yes, they're "pass out the recipe cards" good!

Sweet & Spicy Nuts
(yields 2 cups, double recipe for large group)
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (I use less, because I'm a spicy sissy)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 cups nuts (I use mixed nuts but feel free to use whatever you like)

Preheat oven at 300 degrees. Mix butter, Worcestershire, cayenne, salt, and garlic powder until combined.

(At first glance, this doesn't look very appetizing. But when looked at with an artful eye, did you know butter + Worcestershire = green? I think it's pretty!)

Stir in nuts until evenly coated.

Add chili powder and sugar. Toss to coat.

Spread on baking sheet (line with foil or you will spend half your day scrubbing...and scrubbing...and scrubbing) and place in oven for 30 minutes. Stir every 10 minutes.

Transfer to wax paper to cool for 45 min - 1 hour. When completely cooled, serve and enjoy!

Nuts are like family members, some are spicy and some are sweet but we love them all the same!

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