Schools out!!

I had a great year with these 16 kids! They are an awesome bunch who all got along, liked to have fun, and were smart! You can see by this pic that they are full of spunk and really each have their own personality that shines! Cool, independent, creative, inquisitive, spunky, and lovable! I made my kids design a letter for the back door playground.  It had to be 2 feet tall, have at least 2 colors, and have a pattern or geometric design. They didn't all exactly follow the rules, but it was the last day go school and I didn't really care!!

Yard Clean Up

I love it when it is finally nice enough to get out in the yard! This weekend I did a little work! 

First off, I had to buy a new mower. My electric one bit the dust. It was buy a new battery, or buy a new mower, that was just a little bit more. 

Earlier this spring, my mom and I transplanted peonies from my grandparent's house. They are not supposed to bloom the first season after transporting. However, its looking like I will have 2 blooms! 

The home owners before me did not like landscaping. They loved ROCKS! They meant well with this little area, but it is a pain! So today I did a little rock gardening. I took out the lights, pulled weeds, used my leaf blower to blow out the leaves, and raked the garden to cover the weed barrier. I would love to do this to it. 

My friends came and got the swing set out of my back yard. I think I have used it a total of 3 times in 3 years.  Sloan will get much more use out of it. It also made me want to landscape around that tree and plant grass, not weeds.

I also picked up 5 bags of pokey balls and leaves! Next weekend I need to get some flowers planted, and I'll have to mow AGAIN! :)

Pork Schnitzel

With a pending storm, I needed something that was not made on the grill, like most of my recipes this past week. I found this pork schnitzel recipe in Cooking Light. I had most of the ingredients and it was cheap and easy! I am usually not a dill fan, but this sauce isn't overly dill-y. I served it with a fresh salad.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
1 T. chopped dill

2 T. low-fat buttermilk

1/8 t. kosher salt

3/4 t. black pepper, divided

1/4 cup fat-free milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs

2 T chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

4 (4-ounce) boneless center-cut loin pork chops, trimmed and pounded to 1/8-inch thickness 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:
1. Combine sour cream, dill, buttermilk, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl; set aside.

2. Combine milk and egg in a dish; stir with a whisk. Combine breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic powder, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper in another dish. Dip pork in milk mixture; Dredge pork in breadcrumb mixture.

3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pan; swirl to coat. Place 2 pork chops in pan. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Repeat procedure with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and remaining 2 pork chops. Serve with sauce.

Adapted from: Christine Burns Rudalevige, Cooking Light MAY 2013

Rock Chalk Baby Hawk

I made this for a friend who wanted a girly Jayhawk outfit. I think thus might get added to my gift rotation! 

Friday Funny

Kid- Can I just change my name to Chris?
Me- If I call you Chris will you do your work?
Kid- There is that show Everybody Hates Chris.

Cucumber Salad

Cucumbers always remind me if my Great Grandma Agnes. She would make them for us in her little kitchen, and we gobbled them up. My mom, aunts, and cousins all make & love them now.  They are a staple at family BBQ's. Her recipe is simple. Salt, vinegar, and cucumbers.

However, when I was looking at a cooking magazine they had a new way to make them. I decided I would give it a try. They are much fancier and sweeter, but definitely a keeper! 

Ingredients:

3 cups cucumbers shaved vertically (I used a veggie peeler) I'm sure there is a better way to do this. 

A pinch of salt

1/2 cup finely sliced red onion

1 t sugar ( I like to use Splenda packets, it's much easier to grab 1 than to get out the sugar and measure!!)

1 T apple cider vinegar

Directions:

Combine cucumbers and onions on bowl. Sprinkle with salt & sugar, and pour in vinegar. Mix together. Served chilled

Sorry this is not the best picture! 

Raspberry Jalapeno Chicken

I love my Raspberry Chipotle Bean dip, and this chicken uses the same sauce. It is soo easy, I wish I would have done this sooner.  All I did was sprinkle the chicken with a little bit of salt and pepper, and popped it on the grill. Then after it was cooked, I smothered it with the raspberry jalapeno sauce!

Having been the 3rd day I grilled in a row,  I love how easy the clean up is. I also get to wait outside in the beautiful weather for the food to cook!

Ingredients: 

Chicken breasts
salt & pepper
Raspberry Jalapeno Sauce*

*The sauce can be found in the jam or marinade section of the grocery store, or at stores such as Dean & Deluca. I have also used the raspberry chipotle and the very berry, they all taste pretty much the same

Directions- 
Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper, grill 6 min on each side. Remove from grill and smother with raspberry sauce!

Serve with cucumber salad.