A Clash of Kings

This book was better than the first one! There were so many twists and turns! The people you thought were good people in the first book are bad and the people you thought bad maybe arent so bad. The characters have to reach deep inside them and find the strength to keep going even through horible hardships. I really enjoyed getting to dive deeper into the stories of Jon and Arya who are my favorite characters right now. I havent decided if Tyrion Lannister is a good guy or a bad guy, he shows qualities of both. Im excited to see where he goes in the next book. Im really enjoying the Bran and Rickon Stark and the direwolves story combining more and more. The magic of the beastlings is pretty neat. Everyone is fighting against each other and the realm is pretty much being torn apart so Im excited to see where this next book will take all the fighting "kings". Sansa showed more depth in this book so I liked her better. I feel like she will play a major role in bringing down Joffrey but Im not sure how yet. Cant wait until Dany makes it over to join the fighting with her dragons. A fantastic book, I was totally entertained!

Thanksgiving Day Feast

This year was my very first year making my own Thanksgiving Day food. I realized I had never really made any of the typical dishes you have on Thanksgiving! It was just Chris and I this year so we decided to make our very own feast! I started out by making a menu of the things I wanted to make and then went to the grocery store and made sure I had all the ingredients for everything. My menu included turkey, green bean casserole, stuffing, candied yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and a pumpkin pie!

I was sort of nervous about the turkey since I have never in my life cooked a turkey but I bought a Jennie-o pre-packaged turkey that didnt need to be defrosted. It came in its own cooking bag so all I had to was take the outer bag off and stick it in the oven! I bought one of those crappy tin pans to cook the turkey in so I could just throw it away when it was done. The turkey also came with one of those pop up timer things in it but I didnt trust it and bought a meat thermometer. The turkey baked on 450 for only 4 hours! Not bad!

I have a small oven as you can see with only one rack in it so I knew I was going to have to be creative with getting everything cooked. While we waited we goofed off a little.

And the cat lounged

When the turkey was in its last hour of cooking I started to get the other dishes ready to just stick in the oven. I got my green bean casserole all mixed together.

And my candied yams.

I have to mention that my entire apartment smelled heavenly while the turkey was cooking! When I had finshed all of that the turkey was all done so I pulled it out and had Chris carve it. He did an awesome job and this was his first time carving a turkey!

Once the turkey had vacated my oven I stuck in the green bean casserole and the candied yams. While they were cooking in the oven I had the stuffing and potatoes cooking on the stove.

Chris got me some gorgeous Sunflowers for Thanksgiving that made our table very festive

And we had a yummy toast with Sparkling Cider!

Finally around 4pm everything was done and it was time to chow down!!! We put all the dishes on the table and served up!

We ate until we were about to burst. Everything turned out so great. I was so proud of my very first turkey! We had so many leftovers!! I was so excited to eat Thanksgiving food all weekend!

After dinner I made my very first pumpkin pie. It turned out perfect and yummy and we had some as soon as it cooled.

We decided we needed whipped cream. Chris decided he needed A LOT of whipped cream!

Our very first Thanksgiving Day feast and first Thanksgiving Day together was perfect and relaxing and the food was fantastic. Nothing could have made it any better.....except maybe more pumpkin pie!

Easy Chicken Strips

This recipe is SO easy!!! And So quick!!! And SO yummy!!! No really though...it is! My boyfriend and I both loved it!

First, heat your oven to 450 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with tin foil and spray it with cooking spray. In a 1 gallon freezer bag mix Bisquick mix, cheese, and salt. I used garlic salt and it was yummy!

Next cut your chicken breasts into strips. The recipe says 1/2 inch strips but I kind of just eye balled it and made them whatever size I wanted.

Next take the egg and in a large bowl slightly beat it.

Take your chicken strips and dip them in the egg and then place them in the bag of mix. Seal the bag and shake to coat.

Place chicken on cookie sheet and drizzle the butter over the strips.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes turning halfway through bake time. I chose to bake for 14 minutes just to make sure the chicken was cooked all the way through.

The finished product was fabulous and we used Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce to dip it in. YUM! See below for recipe.


3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips

2/3 cup Bisquick Mix

1/2 grated Parmesan Cheese

1/2 tsp garlic salt or salt

1/2 tsp paprika

1 egg, slightly beaten

3 tbsp butter, melted


Heat oven to 450 degrees. Line cookie sheet with foil, spray with cooking spray. In 1 gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag, mix Bisquick mix, cheese, salt and paprika. Dip half the chicken strips into egg; place in bag. Seal bag; shake to coat. Place chicken on cookie sheet. Repeat to use up remaining chicken. Drizzle butter over chicken. Bake 12-14 minutes, turning halfway through bake time with pancake turner, until no longer pink in center.

Ham and Swiss Cheese Bake

This recipe doesn't take long to make and doesn't have too many ingredients but the flavor is really good and its very filling. I enjoyed making this as much as eating it!

You start out by making sure you spray your baking dish with cooking spray. Normally not a big deal but you are making a breading in the bottom of the pan so you will need it. I forgot and had to go back and do it and missed a few spots and they burned so its for sure needed!
Once you have that done take your Bisquick mix, honey mustard and milk and stir it until it forms a soft dough. Press it into the bottom of the pan so it covers everything. Then bake it for 8 to 10 minutes until it is a golden brown crust.

While that is baking in a medium bowl mix the ham, onions, bell pepper and sour cream.

Once that is all mixed nicely spread that over the crust you just baked. Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake uncovered for 5 to 6 minutes until the mixture is hot and the cheese is melted.
And SHAZAM you have a yummy ham dinner in very little time!

This one is a keeper, filling enough that my boyfriend isn't still hungry after eating dinner, tastes great, and is fast enough for me to make on a week day after work!





2 cups Bisquick Mix

1/3 cup honey mustard

1/3 cup milk

2 cups cubed cooked ham

4 medium green onions, sliced

1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper  (I did an entire bell pepper)

1/4 cup sour cream

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese


Heat oven to 450 degrees. Spray 13x9 inch pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, mustard and milk until soft dough forms; press on bottom of pan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until crust is golden brown. In medium bowl, mix ham, onions, bell pepper and sour cream; spread over crust. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered 5 to 6 minutes or until mixture is hot and cheese is melted.

A Game of Thrones

This was an absolutely fantastic book. At no point during the story was I bored or ready to skip any parts. I loved the character development of every single character even if they were horrible people! I love the fact that each chapter is a different character's perspective on the events taking place. I cant choose a favorite character because even the bad ones bring certain things to the story that I like. I really enjoyed the direwolves in the story, how they protect the Stark children and almost seem to take on their characteristics. I think I identify with the Stark family the most as they are good, honorable people who do things for the good of all instead of a lust for power. I despised the Lannisters although I did like how sarcastic Tyrion (The Imp) was. I am most intrigued by Daenerys Targaryen. She seemed to have great good in her but towards the end she seemed capable of great evil too. I cant wait to read more about her in the second book. All in all I really enjoyed all aspects of this book and cannot wait to continue all the stories in the second book. I will be reading this entire series.

Savory Baked Chicken and Potatoes

This was a super easy dish to make and I loved the kick the mustard gave to everything. Quite a bit of mustard is used so if you don't love mustard this is not the recipe for you! All you mustard lovers read on!!

First things first, preparing the chicken with the mustard by brushing each side with enough Dijon to coat it and then placing it in the Bisquick mix.

Once that is done place the chicken in a pan with cooking spray coating the bottom. Place the chicken in the corners of the pan to leave room for the veggies and potatoes. Place your bell peppers, I used all three colors, red potatoes and red onion in the middle of the pan and coat with Dijon Mustard. Then spray cooking spray over everything so the veggies don't burn. Lastly, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top of everything.

Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 40 minutes. You will have a tangy yummy chicken and potatoes dish that is filling and delicious!!

I loved the underlying flavor of the mustard and the red onion, it gave the potatoes and chicken the most fantastic flavor! And the best part is it was easy and QUICK! This goes into the vault as a will make again recipe! See below for the recipe!



4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/4 cup Dijon mustard (NOTE: I used almost a whole 8oz jar...WAY more than they called for)

3/4 cup Bisquick mix

1 1/2 lb small red potatoes, cut into fourths

1 medium bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 medium red onion, cut into 16 wedges

cooking spray

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon paprika


Heat over to 400 degrees. Spray 15x10x1 inch pan with cooking spray. Brush chicken with 2 tablespoons of the mustard, then coat with Bisquick mix. Place 1 chicken breast in each corner of the pan. Place potatoes, bell pepper, and onion in center of pan; brush vegetables with remaining 2 tablespoons of the mustard. Spray chicken and vegetables with cooking spray; sprinkle with cheese and paprika. Bake uncovered 35 to 40 minutes, stirring vegetables after 20 minutes, until potatoes are tender and the juice of the chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut.

My Review of Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy

I started reading this book while staying at a cabin on Orcas Island on vacation. It was rainy and cold outside and I was bored so I picked up a book on the shelf and started reading. I immediately fell in love with the characters and actually got really far into the book. I liked it so much I actually considered taking the book with me when I left but opted for just writing the name down instead. I bought the book and then ended up getting it on my Kindle.
The book takes place in England during World War II and the main character is Elizabeth who is a very shy uncertain girl. Her parents want to get her away from the war so they send her to Ireland to live with her mothers childhood friend. The Irish family is loud and boisterous and large whereas Elizabeth comes from a family where she is the only child and her parents dont really like each other. Elizabeth learns to come out of her shell and makes a friend for life in Aisling who is the same age as her. The two grow close even when the war is over and Elizabeth goes home. The friends go through different experience although they share the same man and still stay as close as ever.
I have to say I didnt like the ending of the book. It got very strange. The beginnng of the book was about family and closeness and in the end Elizabeth isnt the person you think she is through the whole book. I was not excited about the ending at all.
I think the thing I didnt like the most was the book didnt make me think. I didnt put myself in the characters place and think..."what would I do in this situation" and I dont like that.
Over all though, very well written. Loved the characters, at least till the end. I would recommend it.

Peppered Pork In Tangy Mushroom Sauce

I found this recipe by accident while madly searching for something to make for dinner this evening. I honestly picked this because I liked the way the picture looked. Ha ha! Lucky for me this meal turned out so good!! I am adding this to the recipe box!

I changed this recipe up a little since I already had pork chops in my freezer I used them instead of pork tenderloin and the recipe calls for "mixed pepper seasoning" which I wasnt quite sure what that was so I used a mixture of regular black pepper, garlic pepper and cajun seasoning. I have to say Im quite happy with my changes!

I made this dish with fresh green beans and mashed potatos. For those of you who arent cooking experts....start your potato water FIRST. Otherwise your potatos wont be soft and ready for mashing and all your other food will be done!! I know this from experience. :)

So, while my potato water was boiling I put all my seasonings on my pork chops and rubbed them into the meat. Sort of made a custom salt rub type thing.

I got all the rest of my ingredients out so that they were easy to grab. This really does help especially when you are bringing your ingredients to a boil and need to add things quickly!

Once I had everything organized to my liking and my potatoes boiling away I added my veggie oil to my skillet and got that ready for the pork chops. Once the oil was heated on medium-high heat I got my pork chops a cookin!

I cooked these about 5 minutes only flipping them once. While those were cooking I got the sauce ready bu adding my chicken broth and flour together in a small bowl.

Once that 5 minutes is up for the porkchops I dumped in the sauce along with the balsamic vinegar, rosemary and mushrooms.

At this point everything started to smell so amazing!!!! The recipe says to bring to a boil and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. I cooked for 10 and had to cook for an additional 10 for the pork chops to not be pink on the inside. Once that was done cooking I served up the plates making sure to pour the sauce over the mushrooms and pork chops. YUM!

It was DELICIOUS!!!!! The sauce was so good! I will be making this for years to come!!!! See below to get the recipe!




1 pork tenderloin (1 to 1/4 lb)

1 tsp mixed pepper seasoning

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp vegetable oil

1 cup chicken broth

2 tblspn flour

2 tblspn balsamic vinegar

2 tsp dried rosemary leaves, crumbled

1 package (8 oz) fresh whole mushrooms


Cut pork into  four 4oz pieces. Between sheets of plastic wrap or waxed paper, flatten pork pieces with meat mallet to 4x3 1/2 inches in diameter, less than 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle both sides of pork medallions with mixed pepper seasoning and salt; press in seasonings. In 12-inch non stick skillet, heat oil over medium -high heat. Add pork; cook about 5 minutes, turning once, until browned. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix broth and flour until smooth. Add broth mixture and remaining ingredients to skillet. Heat to boiling, reduce heat. Cover and cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occansionally, until pork is no longer pink in center and mushrooms are tender.

Cheddar Potatoes

This recipe takes first place for New Recipe of the Year. This was a very spur the moment choice and I had no idea how it would turn out. Luckily for all involved it was SO yummy. I really want to make it every night for a month! Left-overs heated up in the microwave the next day were just as good as fresh out of the oven which is always important! I also love that the recipe is so quick and easy. It takes a little while to bake but doesn't take long at all to prepare!

To start you grab your ham, green beans and potatoes and throw them all in a 2 quart glass baking dish that has no stick spray on it.

In a separate bowl I combined the soup, milk and 1/2 of the shredded cheddar cheese. Now the recipe calls for nacho cheese soup (does anyone know what this is???) or cheddar broccoli soup. I couldn't find either of those at the Safeway by my house so I went ahead with Cheddar Soup...which until the other day I didn't know existed. I mixed all of the cheesy-ness together with a hand mixer and then poured it over the stuff already in my baking dish and mixed it so everything was coated.

I sprinkled the remaining cheese on top and then decided rather than have a layer on top I would rather have pockets of cheese throughout so I stirred it in with everything.

Now the next part of the recipe calls for butter and bread crumbs to be mixed and put on top of the dish. I did that and felt like it just wasn't enough and my boyfriend suggested using PikNik Shoestring Potatoes on top as well. If you aren't aware of PikNik's get in your car....drive to your local grocery store....and buy some IMMEDIATELY. They are the most amazing thing ever on baked casseroles.

Once that is all put together get ready to toss it in the oven! (Not literally of course)

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until the mixture is bubbly.

WARNING: WILL SMELL POSITIVELY HEAVENLY WHILE COOKING....SO MUCH SO THAT YOU WILL WANT TO TAKE IT OUT EARLY AND EAT IT. I ASSURE YOU IT IS WORTH LETTING IT COOK THE ENTIRE TIME.

I let this cook for the entire time and it turned out perfect. So yummy and had the best ham flavor. My boyfriend and I both LOVED this dish and I will be making it all the time!! See the recipe below and make this soon!




1 pkg refrigerated potato wedges

1 cup cooked ham strips

1 (14.5oz) can green French Style beans, drained.

1 (10 3/4oz) can fiesta nacho cheese soup or cheesy broccoli soup

1/2 cup milk

4oz (1 cup) shredded cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1/2 cup Progresso Plain Bread Crumbs

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 2 quart glass baking dish with nonstick spray. Place potatoes, ham and green beans in sprayed baking dish. In small bowl, combine soup, milk and 1/2 cup of the cheese; mix well. Pour over mixture in baking dish; stir gently to mix. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. In small bowl, combine butter and bread crumbs; mix well. Sprinkle over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until mixture is bubbly.

Easy Seafood Pasta

I am all about recipes being easy while also being tasty and this one is both!! I love me some seafood and I cant get enough of pasta (must be the tiny bit of Italian in me) and this recipe combines them perfectly!

This recipe calls for a Dutch Oven but I didn't use one...who has one of those just laying around?! It says to cook your pasta in the Dutch Oven but I cooked mine like how you normally cook pasta...pot...water...BAM...pasta.

While the pasta is boiling its good to get the shrimpies ready. I used frozen as that was all my grocery store had at the time so I stuck mine in  bowl to un-thaw.

Once you have that going grab your clam chowder, milk, 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese and the garlic and blend them all together until you have a smooth sauce. I didn't like how runny the consistency was so I also added some Alfredo sauce to thicken it up. The flavors mixed together were fantastic! Once you are done mixing just set the sauce aside for a bit.

The next step for me was to chop up all my veggies that were going into the pasta.

Once you have all that done you are ready to start cooking!! Get your oil and your skillet heated up and throw in the shrimp, mushrooms and onions. Cook them together about 5 minutes until the shrimp turns pink.

I also added chicken to my pasta to add a little more meat since I have a hungry boyfriend in the house! Next you are going to stir in your crushed red peppers. I added more than the recipe calls for to give it a nice kick! Then one you mix the crushed peppers in add the sauce that you made earlier.

Cook until thoroughly heated and then pour over pasta. Add some fresh Parmesan and you are set!

I personally LOVED this recipe. It was so yummy and the crushed red peppers added such a great flavor! My boyfriend also thought this was pretty fantastic. This is a MUST MAKE for sure!! See below for the recipe and ingredients.




16 oz uncooked linguine

1 can Progresso Traditional New England clam chowder

1 cup milk

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoon olive oil

1 1/2 lb uncooked peeled de-veined large shrimp, tails peeled

1 package sliced fresh mushrooms (3 cups)

4 medium green onions, chopped (1/4 cup)

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese



In a 5 to 6 quart Dutch oven cook linguine as directed on package. Drain well; return to Dutch oven and cover to keep warm. Meanwhile in blender place clam chowder, milk, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and the garlic. Blend on medium speed until mixture is smooth. Set aside. In 12 inch nonstick skillet or wok, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add shrimp, mushroom and onions, cook about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until shrimp turn pink. Stir in pepper flakes and soup mixture; cook until thoroughly heated. Salt and pepper to taste. Pour over cooked linguine in Dutch oven, toss gently to coat. Top individual servings with Parmesan cheese.