PINT - Meet me on the Playground

HOLY CRAPOLI - PINT MOVED!

My BB chat buddy That One Mom did a great thing and donated some $$ for Jaden and bought Post It Note Tuesday!

So let's get STICKY Smackers!

Share a Spoon - Patty Cake Patty Cake Baker's Man

THEME TIME

Who doesn't love bars and cakes?

Hmmm??

This week's theme is compliments of one of my favorite peeps!  That_One_Mom from The Only Parent Chronicles.

You know what's better than cakes and bars?  She is coming to see me!

She'll be here on the 9th of September! I am so excited about that I can barely contain myself!

But back to the theme....yeah BARS...lemon bars, blondies, brownies, seven layer bars, ooey gooey bars.  YUM!

and CAKE!

Angel Food Cake, Pumpkin Cake, Mississippi Mud cake, Carrot Cake.

Whatever....it all spells YUMMY TO MY TUMMY!

Bake me up something fabulous this week and bring it!

See you all Thursday!  Can't wait!

Share a Spoon - There REALLY isn't ANYTHING better than Sliced Bread!

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Welcome to Share a Spoon Smackers! This week's theme is compliments of one of my BB Bishes!  She's the girliest of us all and won't leave the house without lipgloss!  Yep, it's Stephanie from The Blue Zoo.  I am so glad she asked for BREAD.  Like the title says...there really isn't anything better than sliced bread.  Despite what all those cliches are.  You know about stuff being better than sliced bread.  Whatever!  I seriously could live on bread and cheese forever.  You know, as long as you throw in some Diet Coke!
Bread is one of those things that everyone now thinks is so hard to make, and really it isn't.  Just takes a little patience is all.  I know that in this day and age it's all go go go, all the time.  However, there is something really satisfying about baking a loaf of bread.  Really Smackers!  I would not steer you wrong!
So what's the recipe today?
Honey White Bread Ingredients: 6 Cups of All Purpose Flour 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt1 package active dry yeast2 cups of low fat milk1/2 cup of honey3 Tablespoons of Heavy Cream3 Tablespoons of Butter Directions: In a bowl, sift 3 cups of flour.  Add salt and package of active dry yeast.  Set aside.  Over medium low heat, warm the butter, milk, honey and cream until all ingredients are just combined.  (You should be able to stick your finger in the milk mixture without burning yourself.) In a large mixer with a dough hook, combine the flour mixture and the milk mixture  on low speed.  (if you don't have a mixer with a dough hook, combine the ingredients in a large bowl.)  Turn the mixer up on medium and gradually incorporate the additional 3 cups of flour.  Let the mixture knead in the mixer for five minutes.  (If you are kneading on the countertop it will only take about five minutes as well.  Just work the additional three cups in and knead for five minutes.) 

(This is what the dough should look like.)

  Coat the bottom and sides of a large bowl with a bit of olive oil and turn the dough to cover all the sides.  Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for 2 hours.  It should have doubled in size.  Punch the center of the dough.  Recover with the towel and let the dough rise for another hour and a half.  Punch the dough and turn in out onto a floured surface. Grease or spray with cooking spray two large or three medium bread pans.  Cut the dough into equal portions and add to your pans.  Cover and let rise one final time.  The loaves should double in size after about an hour. Preheat oven and cook bread for 25 minutes at 425 degrees. Remove from pans and let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. 

 BDC is a BIG FAN of honey butter.  So I whipped some up this afternoon to go with the bread.  Now, usually I am not a fan of honey butter, but I have to say with this bread?  AMAZEBALLS! Honey Butter  What you need: 2 sticks of butter1/2 cup good honey Throw 2 sticks of room temperature butter and 1/2 cup of honey in the food processor. (Again, if you don't have one you can whip by hand with a whisk.)  If you spray the measuring cup with a bit of cooking spray before measuring the honey it will come right out!  Whip together in the food processor until you can't see honey anymore.  Put in the refrigerator until the bread comes out of the oven.  Take it out when you remove the bread so it can soften up a bit.  Well there you have it Smackers. My favorite thing.  Bread.  I LOVE BREAD!  Thanks for having us all Share this week Steph! Now, I have a few more recipes over at Sharing in the Kitchen with Momma B from Maurnie.  A sweet and a savory. AND...don't forget to visit all the linky loos!  You know you want to make some bread!  

PINT - If a Killer Whale can Spell why can't You

It's Tuesday and you all know how I love to hook up with Supah for some Sticky Fun!

Apparently this is it for the Supah sized fun.  She's got a sale!  It's SUPAH SIZED SALE!

Just two notes today for that SpEcHaL kind of asshole who has been stalking my blog and felt bold enough to tangle with me yesterday.

Don't forget.  This week is BREAD for Share a Spoon!

Happy Tuesday Smackers!

Own It - I'm Talented Ya'll

I've been thinking about the next evolution in the Own It, Work It, Love It series and I kept getting blocked by a post that I needed to write.  I started it last night and now that I started it, I seem to be able to think more clearly.

The post is about jealousy.  Not mine, but being the target of others.  Which oddly enough, gave way to inspiring this next exercise.  This definitely falls into the OWN IT category.

I have been given many gifts and talents in my life.  I think sometimes we all look at the talents that others have and wish we could do that.  However, we all have been given talents that are uniquely our own.

I am going to list my talents and what they mean to me, and then I would like all my Smackers, who are up for the challenge to take a good look inside themselves and OWN their talents and be appreciative for them.  Whatever they may be.

1.)  I am a writer.  I have been as long as I can remember.  It just comes easily to me.  I remember a poem assignment in high school.  I had a teacher who was hands down the biggest bitch on the planet.  I wrote a poem for this assignment and turned it in.  A few days later she asked me to come to her desk after class.  She asked me where I got the poem.  I looked at her like she was an idiot (I was a teenager after all).  She asked again, "Where did you get this?"  I retorted, "I wrote it.  It came from my brain, went through my pen, onto my paper.  I WROTE IT!"  Unable to find it anywhere, she begrudgingly gave me a "B" on it when she returned it to me weeks later.  She was certain there was no way a high school student could have written it.  I am thankful for this gift.

2.)  I can create anything in the kitchen.  I am a masterful cook.  I love this form of expression.  It allows me to share my talents daily with my family and others.  It is a joy for me and I feel "at home" in the kitchen.

3.)  I can draw.  I can play almost any instrument I pick up.  Not well mind you but I can.  I can sing.  I used to write songs, but usually just for myself.

4.)  I have the unique ability to help others see the big picture.  I have been blessed with or cursed with empathy and the ability to see everyone's stake in any situation. I listen.  I assess.  I advise while helping others see how their decisions and actions will affect those they love and care about.  *sigh*  This is sometimes a heavy responsibility.

The thing about your gifts is, if you sit them on a shelf and don't use them, you lose them.  The more you use them and share them, the stronger they become.  It's easy to be self conscience about your talents.  It's easy to hoard them and keep them safely tucked away.  However, I've learned there is great joy in sharing with the world.

What are your gifts?  I challenge you to write your OWN IT post.  Dust those talents off.  Give them a polish and work them.  It's rewarding!

It's your turn Smackers.  Own your talents.  I will link everyone up as I did with the original!  Now get to sharing!!

Share a Spoon Theme - A Tisket , A Tasket, a Bread Basket

Happy Weekend Smackers!

Theme Time

BREAD

This weeks theme is compliments of my buddy Stephanie of The Blue Zoo.  As I type this, the bish is off meeting another BB Bish.  I'm so jealous!

Anyenvy, Steph was irritated with me because both times we have done desserts she has been out of bloggy commission.  

So...because I love her, I told her she could pick the theme this week.  There is nothing worse than a grown ass woman throwing a temper tantrum, so I made sure to head that tantrum off at the pass.  You know, distraction always works!  :D  I kid, seriously, Steph would never throw a fit.  She might pout a bit.  Ha! 

This week's theme is another sweet or savory week.  Bread can be anything from homemade baked bread, to biscuits, to sweet breads like banana, pumpkin, zucchini.  Cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, cornbread.  Bread pudding, flat breads, focaccia, challah, Easter crossbuns.  I don't care.  Just bread.

I can't wait to see everyone's recipes this week.  I love bread.  I could live on bread and cheese for the rest of eternity and be a satisfied happy camper.

So see you Thursday.  Same bat time, same bat channel!

Love!

Share a Spoon - S'more PIE Please

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Share a Spoon Thursday
PIE
That's right, I said PIE!  Oh me, oh my!  Doesn't everyone love PIE? I know who does love PIE.  That would be my BFF the GREAT DUCKALICIOUS!Today's theme is PIE for The Duck! Give me a P!  Give me an I!  Give me an E!
Just give me the damn PIE! Even though today's theme is brought to you by Daffy, it's inspiration comes from my buddy Holly over at 504 Main.  She is obsessed with all things S'Mores and that's exactly what I am giving you all today!
Brandee's S'more Pie
Ingredients: 1 bag Milk Chocolate Chips1/2 bag Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips1 can sweetened condensed milk1/2 container of Marshmallow Fluff1/2 bag mini marshmallows15 full cinnamon graham crackers2 sticks of butter melted2 teaspoons of sugar1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Crunch the graham crackers into the food processor.  Blitz them until they are fine.  If you don't have a food processor, get one use a sealable plastic bag (ziploc) and crush them with a rolling pin on heavy bottomed pan.  Melt the butter in the microwave.  In a large bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and cinnamon.  Pour the butter a little at a time into the graham cracker mixture.  It may not take all of the butter.  Mix really well until the graham cracker mixture is completely covered. It should look like wet sand. 

Pour into a spring form pan.  With a measuring cup even the crumbs out and push up the sides of the spring form. 

 Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes until browned.  Put in the refrigerator while making the filling. In a saucepan, over low heat add the can of sweetened condensed milk.  Add the chocolate chips and stir vigorously until completely melted and combined.  Remove from heat.  Spread the fudge mixture into the cooled pie crust.

Return pie to fridge and let cool for about 10 minutes.  Cover the fudge mixture with half a container of marshmallow fluff.  Top with mini marshamallows (about half a bag). 

 Turn the oven to broil. Place the pie in the middle of the rack and watch carefully while you toast the marshmallows.  (If you are really fancy you can use a kitchen torch.) Voila!  S'mores Pie!

Now, I like my marshmallows really toasted.  When camping I always catch them on fire!  Hehehe! Anyburntmallow, put the pie in the refrigerator and let it chill and harden up for an hour before serving!
It's YUMMMMMMMY! So there you have it.   PIE!
Be sure to check out all the links today!  Good stuff!  I have another recipe from Maurnie I will be posting at my new blog site as well! Remember, if you want to share recipes and don't want to post them on your site or don't have a site send them to me and I will post them for you!

GR8! JennB says TAG, U R It.

My used to be buddy JennB over at JennB Says tagged me in a questions post.  I know I don't normally do these things, but Jenn is an overbearing painintheass a good friend who will cry like a little girl if I don't participate usually doesn't ask for anything.

So...I'm answering her questions because I didn't have anything else to post today I love her.  M'kay?  The rest of the post is to tag eight more people, and ask eight new questions to them.  Um...I am not the sadist that Jenn is and I love you Smackers so...I'm answering her questions.  That's it. 

Questions:

1.) Jenn is giving us $1000 to spend on ourselves.  She wants to know what would I buy?

This is easy peasy.  I need a new Crackberry and a laptop since mine died.  Done and Done!

2.)  What kind of car do me and my significant other drive, love or hate them (the cars not the significant others)?

I drive a Jeep Liberty and BDC has a Isuzu Rodeo.  However, BDC is always in his shop truck which is a little Ford Transit.  I drive everywhere we go when he isn't working, so mostly we are in the Jeep.

3.)  If I had to buy Jenn a gift what would it be and there is a $50 limit?

I'd buy Jenn a strip-o-gram.  Sorry Jenn you said only $50 so your stripper is prolly some old saggy washed up wannabe stripper.  If you hadn't limited me, I would have sprung for the Dwayne Johnson lookalike.  Next time you will remember not to limit your gifts that way!

4.) Who is my favorite blogger to read big or small?

This one is tough.  I have lots of favorites, that are all different because I read funny blogs, serious and inspiring, family, mommy, cooking, etc..  One of my favorites though is my baby sister's blog.  The Truth According to Buffee  She is smart and funny and I have gotten to know her better by reading her blog.  She has shared some heartfelt stuff, and some really funny stuff that I wouldn't have known otherwise.

5.) When cooking which ingredient do I use most in my dishes?

I pretty much put garlic and onions in just about everything.

6.)  Who is my BFF in the bloggng world?

Ducky(DAFFY from Batcrap Crazy) is my BFF.  Together we're like SASS and FRASS, and anyway you slice that it's a whole lotta ASS.

7.)  Jenn wants to know one or some of my quirks or idiosyncrasies?

I'm a FOODIE.  All my Smackers know that.  HOWEVER, I have a whole lot of food quirks.  I don't like ketchup.  AT ALL.  Like just the smell makes me wanna yack.  I don't like strawberries, watermelon or bananas.  I have texture issues with food that make absolutely NO SENSE.  I can't handle jello, pudding, yogurt, etc.  Yet, ice cream?  I can handle that just fine.

8.)  What is my guilty pleasure as far as tv goes?

I'm not sure I understand guilty pleasure.  I don't usually feel guilty or embarrassed about stuff.  I'm sort of a television junkie.  I watch a lot of stuff.  But, probably the most ridiculous thing is soaps.  I DVR The Bold and The Beautiful.  What's even worse is I used to give my sister a ration of shit for taping her soaps.  She doesn't watch them anymore and I totally am addicted.  *sigh*  Don't judge!  Just go get your own guilty pleasure!

Alrighty Smackers, those are my answers and I won't torture you all by tagging you.  

But....since you are here, and tomorrow is Share a Spoon pie edition...tell me your favorite pie...and don't forget to come by and share a pie recipe tomorrow! 

PINT - BITCH SLAPPIN'

It's Tuesday Smackers!

Stick Em Up!

You know what to do.  Go make some notes.  Go see Supah, link up, and STICK EM UP! 

 

 

  

 

 

Alrighty then Smackers.  That's my time.  I am being pulled off the stage with a cane.  I'll be back soon.   Love,~Zgirl

Share a Spoon Theme - 3.14

<img src="http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu81/Adrienzgirl/Share%20a%20Spoon%20Warm%20the%20Heart/ShareaSpoon5.jpg" border="0" alt="Think Tank Momma"></a>  Happy Saturday Smackers! 

It's THEME Time.   Did you get my math humor?  3.14 aka  PIE BABY! Our theme is PIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!  Did you hear me? So sweet or savory it matters not.  Pie is good whether cold or hot!  

(Photo from Google Images.)
 This week's theme is compliments of my BFF, the one and only DUCKY!She's had a rough couple of months here lately and her favorite thing is P-I-E!  So...bring it, cherry, chocolate, lemon, key lime.  Or chicken pot, chicken pot, chicken pot pie.  Or shepherds pie.  Or any other sweet or savory pie.  But, you keep that minced meat stuff to yourselves.  M'kay? 

So meet me here Thursday for the three one four.  Did I lose you already?  Try to keep up.  And if you don't understand the 3.14 reference...um??  Google that shit and go back to school!   LOVE!

Share A Spoon - BREAKFAST

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Happy Thursday Smackers! Share a Spoon 
BREAKFAST EDITION 

Grab yourself a cup o' joe or a glass of OJ, pull up a chair and let's share some breakfast recipes.  This week's theme is compliments of the One and Only Imaginative Me from Life with Coco and Hopo!

I love breakfast.  Absolutely LOVE it.  ANY HOUR of the day.  Usually we have breakfast menu items for dinner as opposed to the morning, except weekends.  Weekends usually lend themselves well to breakfast.  You know, you can sleep in and still have breakfast.

When I was a kid, I remember all of my cousins, me and my sisters and brother loved to go to Granny's house for breakfast.  She would make a spread!   Eggs any way YOU wanted them, grits, toast, bacon, sausage, fried potatoes.  She made all that food for us every single morning, and it didn't matter if there was one person or thirty people.  She would still make all that food for breakfast!!  Yum!

I cook all that stuff sometimes and have a quick flashback to my childhood, but my breakfasts are usually much quicker.  My boys love pancakes and bacon.  French Toast.  I think their favorite thing ever though is BLUEBERRY MUFFINS.  So...that's what I am sharing today.
 

 Ingredients:

Muffin:
2 cups of all purpose flour
2 tablespoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
1 egg
3/4 cup of milk
1 1/2 cups of fresh (or thawed frozen)
blueberries
1 lemon zested

Topping: 
1/2 cup Sugar in the Raw 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray.

In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt.  Zest the lemon and stir into the sugar.  Add to the flour mixture.  In another bowl mix together the milk, egg and melted butter.  Make sure it's mixed well and pour into the dry ingredients.  Fold the wet and dry ingredients together.  Do not over mix.  If the batter is lumpy that is fine.  In a bowl cover the blueberries with a tablespoon of flour. (this helps them not fall to the bottom of the muffins).  Gently fold them into the batter.


Fill the muffin tins about 2/3 of the way full with mixture.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven.  Sprinkle each muffin with Sugar in the Raw.  Put the muffins back in the oven and bake for another 12-15 minutes.  Let the muffins cool for 10-15 minutes before removing them from the tins.  Trust me, blueberries are like molten lava.  Just wait before you turn them out of the muffin tins.


Now...BIG NEWS.  HUGE!  I started another blog just for SHARE A SPOON!  Say wha????  YEP!  I have had people tell me they wish they had a blog to share recipes.  This week I received an email from a Smacker who wanted to contribute but doesn't blog either.  She sent me her recipe and I have posted it and will link it below.  So head on over...it's um...WORTH IT!  Carmel FRENCH TOAST!  *sigh*  Can there possibly be anything better?

PINT - The Boys are Back In Town

It's Tuesday!

Stick Em Up Day!

Go visit all the other PINT posts over at Supah's place!