Homemade salsa

Homemade Salsa

1 (14 1/2 ounce) can tomatoes and green chilies
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes (plus the juice)
4 teaspoons jalapenos (canned,diced, not pickled)
1/4 cup yellow onion (diced)
1 clove fresh garlic- minced
1/2 teaspoon cumin

Salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon sugar

Fresh cilantro to taste

Juice from a lime

Directions
1. In food processor place jalapenos and onions and garlic.
2. Process for just a few seconds.
3. Add both cans of tomatoes, salt, sugar, cumin, cilantro and lime juice
4. Process all ingredients until well blended but do not puree.
5. Place in covered container and chill.
6. A couple of hours of chilling will help blend and enrich the flavor.
7. Serve with your favorite thin corn tortilla chips.

When we watch Nascar, we have to have some good munchies. I love chips and salsa and this is a great recipe for homemade salsa. Super easy. Pretty much just dump and blend. This recipe is very agreeable to adjustments- add or subtract jalepenos to your desire. Yummy!

Weekend Fun!

I have a confession of sorts. I LOVE NASCAR!!! Actually, I love all kinds of car races. I love the thrill of those cars flying by, the drama of jostling to the front and competing for the lead. I love the roar of all that horsepower. I love the smells related to racing- rubber, racing fuel . . . ahh! This is what we are doing this afternoon. Sacking out in front of the TV to watch today's race. Son #1 and I share the same favorite driver- #17 Matt Kenseth. We will be cheering for him! This is definitely a family passion- much to my sisters dismay. She gets tired of all the left turns, she fails to see all the great things that are so obvious to us! So to all my racing buddies out there: "Let's go racing boys!"

Wild Olive Tees

While surfing the net a few weeks back, I stumbled across a great company that is making really neat (and cute!) t-shirts. Wild Olive Tees is a mom run company that makes shirts that are beautiful in design and share the gospel in a classy way. I am anxiously awaiting my first order. I hope that you will check them out.

A note to my wonderful husband: This is the website that I was telling you about- these are the shirts that I would like for my birthday!!♥

Summertime Money Saver

When the temperature starts to rise in the summer, I have a huge money drain. We get very thirsty. Going into a gas station for drinks when we are out running errands runs me close to $10 every time. A fast food pit stop for something cool and wet? You guessed it $7-$10. This adds up very quick. I have come up with a solution that works great for my gang. Keep a large cooler in the trunk of my van stocked with drinks of all kinds. I either dump ice in to keep cool, or if I am planning ahead, freeze a bunch of water bottles and use those as both a coolant and a drink when they have melted a bit. It is really so simple, but I have found that the more simple something is- the least likely I am to think of it! That is what Works for Me, check out Works for me Wednesday for more awesome ideas.

Focaccia

We love to have bread with our Italian dishes (and who doesn't?). When I get tired of repeating the same garlic bread, I turn to this great but easy focaccia recipe. This one is a winner, it is also very versatile. It can be eaten like a bread, or used as a pizza crust (yum!). I hope you give it a try. For more great recipes check out Tempt My Tummy Tuesday .

Focaccia

Mix 1 cup warm water (105°-115°) and 1 package yeast. Let it sit for 10 minutes to get all happy.

In another but larger bowl combine: 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp, oregano, 1/2 tsp thyme, 1/2 tsp basil and a dash of black pepper. Add yeast mixture and 1 Tbsp olive oil to the flour mixture. Combine until dough has pulled together. Knead until smooth and elastic. Place in lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise for 25 minutes. Preheat oven to 425°. Punch the dough down and place on greased cookie sheet. Pat into desired shape. Brush top with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Happy Birthday and a heartfelt Thank you!!

Happy Birthday to my very best friend!!!

I hope that this coming year will be a great year for you.

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Thank you to all past and present servicemen and women. May God bless you and your families for your dedication, your honor and your sacrifices.

Menu for week of May 25

This week will be a bit off for us. Not only will my hubby be home on Monday, it is also his birthday. So we get to eat where ever his tummy takes us! For more awesome menu ideas check out Menu Plan Mondays . I always find great ideas and recipes there!

Monday: Happy Birthday Honey!

Tuesday: Mexican Stuffed Shells , rice, chips and salsa

Wednesday: Whole Chicken Crock Pot recipe with mashed potatoes- this recipe followed us from last week, because life got in the way of us eating it last week!

Thursday: French Dip with Savory Oven French Fries

Friday: A popular one at our home- Breakfast for dinner: Pancakes, Bacon and eggs and fruit.

Saturday: Honey Ginger Grilled Salmon, Hot-Off-The-Grill-Potatoes, Frozen Peach Daiquiris

Sunday: Crock Pot BBQ sandwiches* with assorted cut veggies and chips



*Crock Pot BBQ Sandwiches*
Place a brisket (not corned beef brisket, but just plain brisket) in your crock pot with 1/2 cup water. Cook on low for 8 hours. Remove meat and drain drippings. Shred and return to crock pot. Pour one bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce over top and keep on low for people to serve themselves. Scoop the desired amount in hamburger rolls and enjoy!