Dreaming of…

By , July 17, 2010

Airstream trailers.

I have always wanted one. I think they would be so much fun to travel with, and of course, I really love the way they look. The problem is they are hard to find, and very expensive if you do find a nice one. Oh to dream.

We actually really do want to buy a little RV though. It would be so handy for traveling around, and there is so much to see in our state, and neighboring states. Places that you have to drive to, and a lot of them where the only option is to camp.

*photo found here, with some other amazing, expensive, dog houses*

Tigers at play.

By , July 16, 2010

We spent a most fabulous weekend in Las Vegas for my big 35! It was so much fun, and we saw so many wonderful things. The highlights of our trip were all nature related, and here is one of many highlights, watching tigers play at the Secret Garden at The Mirage. Of course, even bigger than that was watching the dolphins! I have video of that too (just needs a bit of editing).

Tigers at play. from Aimeeroo on Vimeo.

Not only was it great to get away on a real vacation with my husband, but it was awesome to cross of one of my 101 items in the process. I’ll be sharing more from our trip soon. Stay tuned! :)

In the kitchen: slow cookers

By , July 16, 2010

I have a confession. I love my slow cooker! In fact, I love it so much that I actually have two of them (one small for just the two of us, one large for dinner parties). There is something so awesome about being able to put together dinner in the morning, and then go about the day knowing that it will be all ready to eat at night. In fact, with some recipes you can assemble everything the night before, store it in the fridge, and have it ready to go into the cooker without any extra effort in the morning.

With out much effort or having to stand over a hot stove and oven too! Not only is it easy to use, but it makes some tasty food! I especially love to use it in the summer when it just sounds miserable to be cooking (90-100 degree weather will do that to a person).

Recently I got a copy of the newly updated Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook: 700 Great Slow Cooker Recipes. I actually had the previous edition, and so I was very happy to get the chance to check out this new version! All my favorites were still in the book, plus 100 more recipes. Also new, and very helpful, are 4 pages of “Extra Information”: “Substitute Ingredients for When You’re in a Pinch”, “Equivalent Measurements”, “Kitchen Tools and Equipment You May Have Overlooked”, “Assumptions about Ingredients in Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook, Revised and Updated”.

Of course, if you love to use a slow cooker, you might already have this cookbook as your go to book. It is certainly on heavy rotation in our house. I especially love the variety of things that can be made in a slow cooker, from breakfast, to dinner, dips and deserts, it’s all there! I love that most of the recipes use few ingredients, and those that use a lot make use of easy to find items (like soups, or lots of vegetables). We have loved everything we have made in our slow cooker so far, and can’t wait to keep trying more. Here is a recipe for you to try next time you feel like doing something new with your slow cooker:

Broccoli Corn Bread
Winfred Ewy
Newton, KS

Makes 8 servings

Prep. Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 hours
Ideal slow-cooker size: 3- to 4-qt

1 stick margarine, melted
10-oz pkg. chopped broccoli, cooked and drained
1 onion, chopped
1 box corn bread mix
4 eggs, well beaten
8 oz. cottage cheese
1¼ tsp. salt

  1. Combine all ingredients. Mix well.
  2. Pour into greased slow cooker. Cook on Low 6 hours, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Serving suggestion: Serve like spoon bread, or invert the pot, remove bread, and cut into wedges.

The above is an excerpt from the book Fix-it and Forget-it Cookbook: Revised & Updated: 700 Great Slow Cooker Recipes by Phyllis Pellman Good. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy. Reprinted from Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook. © by Good Books (www.GoodBooks.com). Used by permission. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2010 Phyllis Pellman Good, author of Fix-it and Forget-it Cookbook: Revised & Updated: 700 Great Slow Cooker Recipes.

What about you? Do you have and use a slow cooker? What are your favorite things to make in it?

Master Bedroom Mini-Makeover

By , July 14, 2010

Ever since our bed frame broke (and is now being held up by books), I have been thinking of a mini-makeover for our master bedroom. Things on the wish list include a new bed frame, paint or wallpaper for the walls, and possibly a new duvet cover (in natural bamboo).

Recently I was asked to do a review for CSN stores, so of course I have been looking around their sites to find other inspiration for the upcoming mini makeover. First I found wall sconces, which would be a fun way to address bedside lighting. Right now we only have one bedside lamp, so it would be great for us both to have a light handy. Next I found some amazing duvet covers, but none of them were quiet right, although there were many that I loved. I also found furniture, mirrors, wall art, and the list just goes on and on!

While I am still not sure what I will be reviewing for them soon (so many choices), you can bet it will likely be something to help spur this little mini makeover along.

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