BBQ Hamburger

Today, I wanted to add a recipe for the cookbook that the kids love. BBQ at our house is always a hit. In fact over the years, I don't know if there has been a party that I have taken BBQ to that I wasn't asked for the recipe. 

My mom found this recipe when I was little, it was called BBQ for a Crowd in her recipe box, but in mine it's just Mom's BBQ.  ♥

I'm so excited.  I purchased some more digital downloads for My Digital Studio.  I got the Play Date dsp. Isn't it CUTE?!  And.... the owl punch.  OMgosh, I couldn't wait to use him.  He is so sweet!  He's just sitting there on the corner of my page looking all fancy w/ his dsp vest.  :)

Mom's BBQ
2# ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 cup celery, diced
1 TBSP flour
2 TBSP sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 cup water
2 TBSP vinegar
1 cup ketchup
1 tsp mustard

Brown ground beef with onion and celery in a large skillet. Drain. Over a low heat, add ketchup and mustard, chili powder and salt. Stir well. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer until flavors are blended about 20-30 minutes. 

Recipe: Grandma's Chops & Potatoes

Outside the wind is howling, the snow is blowing and school is already cancelled for tomorrow.  Is it strange that I am not at all upset by the snow or the blowing?  I actually enjoy nights like this and can't wait to look outside when the sun comes up in the morning.  The best thing about country living--the scenery is so amazing.  We live off the beaten path (yep, that's a nice way to say the boonies).  There will be no tracks and everything will have a beautiful  layer of white and some amazing drafts for my husband, Terry to enjoy.  He is a snowmobiler. He loves this weather too.  

 Tonight, the house is chilly because there is nothing stopping the wind from pounding against the house.  It's an extra quilt kind of night.

Speaking of quilts, I just make another cookbook page for the kids' cookbook.  I couldn't resist making a quilt background w/ my new dsp download.  This dsp is part of the Springtime Vintage download.  There is matching dsp and fabric in the Occasions mini. 

Doesn't it just say Grandma? It reminds me so much of the kids' Grandma Hawkinson. She does a little quilting and loves all things that are blue and flowery. :)

Here's the recipe:
Grandma Hawkinson's Baked Pork Chops
6 pork chops
6 TBSP ketchup
6 TBSP brown sugar
6 TBSP lemon juice
1 large onion, sliced
5 baking potatoes, peeled and diced

Place pork chops in the bottom of an oven safe baking dish or 13 x 9 pan.
Add 1 TBSP of ketchup, brown sugar and lemon juice to each chop.
Scatter the onions over top. Add potatoes.

Cover w/ aluminum foil. 
Bake at 325 degrees for 2 hours. 
The pork chops will be tender.  YUM!

Evan's Favorite Cookies

These cookies are Evan's favorite cookies.  They are sooooooo good! They are not a good thing around when I'm trying to lose weight.  I swear they call to me....

 I converted the recipe from a traditional recipe to a gluten and casein free version for Evan. Even though there was some protesting about Evan's food not being quite as good, these cookies are ALWAYS gone within a couple days.  My husband seems to have one in his hand everytime I walk into the kitchen.  When I ask what he is eating he just smiles.  :)

Here's the recipe in case you can't read it on the page:

Evan's Flourless Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

gluten free/casein free version

15 oz jar Skippy Natural Chunky Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Earth Balance Buttery Spread, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp honey
3 eggs
2 tsp baking soda
1 cup Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips
4 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill gluten free oatmeal


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix butter, peanut butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl until creamed together. Add eggs, baking soda, honey and vanilla. After well mixed, add chip and finally oatmeal.
Drop dough onto cookie sheet using a dropper or by rounded Tablespoon. Flatten a little as they do not spread much. Bake about 7 minutes. Barely brown for soft cookie. Brown a little more for crispy cookies.

The recipe is easily converted back just use regular butter, oats and chocolate chips.

Recipe: Cheeseburger Soup

My husband's sister, Joni brought me this amazing soup right after Evan was born.  Oh my gosh, is it ever tasty.  I was so happy Joni came down that day, I was exhausted and she is an amazing cook.  It felt so good to have warm food that I didn't make!  :) Joni took culinary arts classes in college and currently works at a bakery.  Riley Kate (with a little mom supervision) made this soup tonight. I think Aunt Joni would have been proud.  It tasted just like I remembered it from when she brought it.  Riley Kate is pretty sure that she wants to go and stay at Aunt Joni's and they could just spend the weekend cooking and baking.  The problem is--I would want to eat everything they made and I DEFINITELY don't need that.  Yep, today it's back to eating a little healthier and exercising.  I have no close that fit.  January in Wisconsin is not warm enough to go without.  LOL

Thank you, Joni for sharing this with our family.  It's going into the kids' cookbooks and they will be able to share it with their families someday!  ♥

Recipe: Christmas Fudge

This is the recipe that my mom used to make her Christmas Fudge. It was one of my favorite recipes.  Now it is also one of my daughter, Dani's favorite holiday sweets. 

We tried a couple different fudge recipes this year, but went with the old favorite.  It's still our family's favorite. 

Recipe: Inside-Out Chocolate Chip Cookies

One of my 2011 goals is to make a cookbook for each of my children filled w/ our favorite family recipes.  While there isn't a lot of them, I thought I better get started on the book. 

It is REALLY foggy in Wisconsin today so this New Year's Eve will be spent at home.  What better way to spend it than at home playing w/ My Digital Studio.  :)



Thank you, Grandma Hawkinson! ♥

Riley Kate loves to bake. She has become the head baker at our house. If there is a party or an event that requires bake goods, she is my 'go to girl'.

Grandma Hawkinson also knows how much she loves to bake. Grandma made this adorable apron for Christmas. Isn't it cute?!

Today I needed some cookies for Santa and for us to enjoy this weekend. Riley Kate made me some peanut butter kiss cookies and some inside out chocolate chip cookies.

Thank you also to Dani who unwrapped all the kisses for the cookies and put them on the cookies! :)