St. Patrick's Day Festivities

It was a lunch date. I picked up Mom and drove her to

TJ Malloney's Irish Pub for lunch. Kelly was supposed to join

us, but her plans changed. Kendra lives out of town and couldn't

come because she just became a "Grandma" to baby boy Haden.

Jill and Scott are the proud parents of Haden Holden Moore born March 15th.

You might say this has been one very busy week.

Mom and sister Lauri.

Hey everyone..............this is Kelsey, Cara's daughter. She was so much fun:)

Niece Cara and myself.

Great Irish band........but a little too loud. We were glad when they took a break so we could hear each other.

While we waited for our food to be served, the waitress brought us homemade warm soda bread. It was heavenly.......had caraway seeds in it.......we all loved it:)

Mom had the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage.

Lauri had Irish Macaroni and an Irish Beer:)

Cara and I both ordered the Shepherd's Pie. It was delish:)

Of course you have to have green carnations for St. Patrick's Day. Mom and I stopped at a florist on the way home.

Just something about the green carnation. I love it!

After a fun afternoon I came home and made Bangers and Mash. The Irish sausage was great. Cooked it on the grill. Mashed potatoes with garlic, sour cream, and butter. And of course peas:)

P.S. It was 70 degrees in Manteno, Illinois today as well as Hobart, Indiana!!!!!! Hurray:)

Mom really enjoyed herself. So the Irish in our family came out today. We all had a great time:)

Foodie Friday is presented by

"Designs by Gollum"

Visit her site for more fabulous recipes

Individual Baked Shrimp Scampi

Baked Shrimp Scampi

2 pounds shrimp in the shell

3 tablespoons good olive oil

2 tablespoons dry white wine

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

4 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves)

1/4 cup minced shallots
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 extra-large egg yolk

2/3 cup panko (Japanese dried bread flakes)

Lemon wedges, for serving

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Peel, devein, and butterfly the shrimp, leaving the tails on. Place the shrimp in a mixing bowl and toss gently with the olive oil, wine, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Allow to sit at room temperature while you make the butter garlic mixture.

In a small bowl, mash the softened butter with the garlic, shallots, parsley, rosemary, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, egg yolk, panko, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until combined.

Start from the outer edge of a 14-inch oval gratin dish, (I used 6 individual ramekins), arrange the shrimp in a single layer cut side down with the tails curling up and toward the center of the dish. Pour the remaining marinade over the shrimp. Spread the butter mixture evenly over the shrimp. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until hot and bubbly. If you like the top browned, place under a broiler for 1 minute. Serve with lemon wedges.

Thanks Ina Garten......I loved this recipe:)

Foodie Friday is presented by

"Designs by Gollum"

Visit her site for more fabulous recipes.

Chocolate Muffins

I discovered this recipe over at ButterYum.

I just happended to have both ingredients.

Thought I would give it a try.

Chocolate Muffins

1 box of Devil's Food cake mix

1 can 100% pure pumpkin puree

Mix the two together in mixer

(just the dry mix and the pumpkin - no egg, oil, or water)

Line muffin pan with 12 liners; divide the batter evenly.

Bake in a preheated 400 degrees oven for 20 minutes.

Cool completely before eating.

181 calories each:)

Foodie Friday is present by

"Designs by Gollum"

Visit her site for more fabulous recipes

Milk Chocolate Pots De Creme

Recipe:

2 cups (11.5 ounces) Guittard Real Milk Chocolate Chips

3/4 cup whole milk

1/4 cup butter

Place chips in blender container.

Heat milk and butter in small saucepan over low heat while stirring, just until mixture begins to boil.

Immediately pour hot liquid into blender container. Cover and blend at high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.

Pour into dessert dishes and chill at least 3 hours, until set.

Foodie Friday is presented by

"Designs by Gollum"

visit her site for more fabulous recipes

Ritz Cracker Thin Mints

I recently visited Patti at her blog "Olla-Podrida" and discovered this great recipe. She has so many wonderful things to try. I will be back to visit her site for more recipes.

Ritz Cracker Thin Mints

1 12-oz. bag chocolate chips (I used Guittard SemiSweet Chocolate Chips)

3-4 drops peppermint oil (I used peppermint extract)

1 sleeve of Ritz Crackers

Melt the chocolate over simmering water in the top of a double boiler. Add peppermint extract to taste. dip crackers, coating well with chocolate, and place onto waxed paper to set.

Enjoy:)

Foodie Friday is presented by

"Designs by Gollum"

visit her site for more fabulous recipes

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Brownies

Recipe:

1 pkg (8 squares) Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

2/3 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup flour

1/3 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place 6 of the chocolate squares and the butter in a large microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add sugar; mix well. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour and pecans until well blended.

Spread into greased 8 or 9-inch square baking pan.

Bake 22 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. (Do not over bake.) Cool in pan on wire rack. Melt remaining 2 chocolate squares as directed on package. Drizzle over dessert; let stand until firm. Cut into 16 squares to serve.

Foodie Friday is presented by

"Designs by Gollum"

Visit her site for more fabulous recipes

Blizzard of 2011

Here is Harley tyring to get out the door.
She doesn't want to move.

Hot Tub anyone.....I don't think so.

Harley finally made is to the backyard.

This is the front yard.

Neighbor attempting to snow blow.

Backyard.

Oops.......snowplow just clipped our mailbox.

Got the neighbors mailbox also.

Nikos clearing snow with the snow blower. It's not working so good, so he will get out his 4-wheeler. Didn't get a picture of that. He has a plow blade on his 4-wheeler. He did a great job for us and the neighbors. The snow was too much for the snow blower.

It finally stopped snowing around 12 noon.

That's a lot of snow on top of the hot tub.

This is what the boys had to get through to make a path to the front door.

That's a lot of snow...............now it's supposed to get freezing cold.

I can't wait for SUMMER!