Pepsi Pork Roast

Yes, leftovers. I buy HUGE roasts.

Pepsi Pork Roast
5 to 7 pound shoulder picnic pork roast with or without bone
12 ounces Pepsi (have not tried any other "flavors")
garlic powder
onion powder
beef boullion
and Chef Paul Prudhommes Magic Seasonion Blend "Blackened Redfish Magic"
Or You can use Mesquite Bar-B-Que Season.

Place roast in a large roasting pan and dust with seasonings. Just add what looks good to you. Pour Pepsi over the roast. Set oven to 350* F and bake for several hours covered. (At least 2 hours.) I baked mine at 350* for two hours and then at 250* for two more hours. (Halloween... Fall Festival at the church.. kids positively could not miss that and just made for more tenderizing time for that roast!! Well worth it!!) While you are fixing side dishes, uncover the roast and turn up the heat to 500* to get it crisped and browned on the outside. Only about 15 to 20 minutes max. All those drippings in the bottom of the pan absolutely have to be made into gravy. I used cornstarch as a thickening agent instead of flour. *mimics the quote in Twister* "It's its own food group!"

Tomorrow? Sandwiches!!!!!! I can hardly wait!

Many blessings to you! @>-*--

Morning already?

"We dun wanna get up."

I have not slept a wink hardly at all last night. I am not really even tired. About the time I fell asleep the Munchmouse woke up and wanted his middle of the night slurp. Yep, at 18 months and counting he's still not sleeping through the night.

My husband -- the perpetual cuddle bug also snuggled up to me and he's a practical toaster oven -- so with Munchmouse getting his slurp, and husband cuddling I was sweltering!

I have already visited one of my favorite Farm Blog this morning too. And to my delight an early morning post greeted me!

Now, then I am off and moving -- working on that early morning boogie with coaching from FLYLady to get more of my house done and more of the projects I want to start. I have been craving to craft and think I may have finally hit upon something I can do and enjoy. More to come soon as I post about the new ideas that come to mind and appear to life.

Many blessings to your day! @>-*--

Weekend Cat Blog #21

"Did I miss it?!"

Weekend Cat Bloggers Unite!

This is Caramel and we have opted to keep her -- now just to get her all set up with the vet for a bit of surgery and some shots and she'll be all set. She lets my 4 yr old carry her around like a scarf and loves attention. She started life as a feral baby and quickly adapted to indoor life of constant attention! She's hoping she didn't miss Kiri's birthday party! Check out the rest of those wanting to attend the party at EatStuff!

After all my distractions I cannot remember what else I was going to put up, but this does cover the WCB!

Not too far away

Is Camp Verde .............

Just down from our destination is Verde Creek Crossing


Verde Creek flows year round, its shallow most of the time -- pretty and quaint it runs in front of the general store. There is a picnic area and a small old ranch house you can visit.

Yes, you can find it on a map of Texas. That would be due to its unique history. Camp Verde used to be owned by the Army -- and they had in residence several camels! I have looked into the history about this before and need to get more information on it again and will do that "soon" and get a picture of the "camels" they have in residence now.


The General Store We Know Today


A few things in the yard at the general store... wheel benches and old wagon parts!




All I can say is "photo fodder"!! I tried to make them interesting. There is much more to see -- but most of it is geared for the adults. The Hill Country -- at least where I am at seems caters more to the adult sense of adventure.

Too Cute for Words!

I am cute n I KNOW it!

Can you imagine trying to discipline that? I mean honestly! He's really a sweet child -- and funny! He knows how to get us to laugh and honestly enjoys doing so. And he also knows how to get into bunches of trouble. His favorite things right now to say are "hot" and "uh oh". And of course he's got the funny baby laugh thing going on all the time. He "winds" down at night by running circles in front of the couch or in front of me and Dad where ever we happen to be. He also LOVES his daddy! And gives out lots of hugs and smiles.

Time for WCB # 20 - LeChat Here!

"I Do So Love Attention"

It's time for Weekend Cat Blogging # 20! Foodie Farm Girl showed me how to get involved in the Cat Blogging Community! So join all of us in sharing your feline friend photos and some yummy recipes too!! In today's cat blog we have LeChat! She's a very special baby in several ways. One -- she's a rescue, two -- she was very sick when she was given to me and between antibiotics, bunches of TLC, and kitten milk I became Foster Mom and much loved HUMAN parent to her. She loves my husband too, as you can see in the picture.

You can also meet "PITA"... an acronym for Pain in the A??. My previous renters adopted her and had problems with her -- booted her out of the house and she thus became another adoptee. She is strictly an outdoor cat due to her preference for any type of material -- be it clothing or linens or what have you as a "litter" box instead of THE litter box. She's also adept at killing anything small enough she catches -- be it birds, squirrels, lizards, bugs, rats or mice. I personally don't mind her catching the mice and rats, but birds tend to shreek a great deal and she gets mighty upset with me when the occassional bird is freed from her grip.

Check out these other feline friends at Eat Stuff . Send in your permalink to the gal there and she will feature you feline friend photos too!

Fall Colour

Dairy Free Chicken Casserole
2 cups cooked rice
2 cups cooked chicken
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons water
3-4 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
2 cups water
1 cup peas (frozen works well)
1/2 cup sliced frozen carrots
1/4-1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
In large skillet bring 2 T oil and 2 T water to a light simmer.
Add flour slowly and blend until smooth.
Add thyme, onion powder, garlic powder.
Slowly add 2 cups of water and continue blend until its a smooth consistancy.
Add cooked chicken and stir.
Lightly grease a casserole dish and layer rice in bottom.
Layer peas and carrots onto rice.
Carefully pour chicken mixture over vegetables.
Dust bread crumbs over the casserole.
Bake in a 400* oven for 25 to 35 minutes.
Enjoy with a fresh salad.

Since going dairy free I have tested the waters and tried dairy only to have my skin break out severely as a result. So, am starting to adapt recipes that have similiar flavor -- they will not have the "rich" flavor that so many are used to based on the fact that they do not have the milk fat from the dairy products. However, they are flavorful and good. Lower in fat also has a benefit of lower calories as well. Better nutrition if you ask my opinion, but this is only as such. My opinion.

Have a great day!

Recipe Day, Anyone?

Gimme that Camera!

Okay, That's Logan -- he's 18 months old and a hoot! That smile you see is his favorite to get me and Dad to buckle when he wants something. And, yes, he's got me and dad wrapped around his lil finger. No, he didn't get the camera -- we found him an acceptable substitute for that.

Now for a recipe:

Grilled Chicken Wings
This is a variation on those buffalo wings that were ever so popular for such a long time. These are a sure hit no matter when or where you make them. They are best grilled, but can be baked or broiled.

3 pounds wings - tipped and divided at the joint to make 2 edible pieces
1 pound butter
12 ounces Lousiana hot sauce
2 (.7 ounce) packages of dry italian dressing mix (good seasons brand)
1 package celery sticks for dipping
favorite dressing of choice - blue cheese or my personal fav -- ranch dressing
One large hot grill
one sprayer bottle filled with water for flare ups -- yes you will need it

In a medium sauce pan, melt butter over VERY LOW heat, add hot sauce and dressing mix and stir until well blended. The low heat is important in that you do not want the butter to seperate into ghee. Remove from heat immediately and keep barely warm. Now, to the grill. Toss on all of the wing pieces and allow to cook for a few minutes. Turn them over and start basting with the sauce. Turn every few minutes and baste every time. Continue to do this until the wings start taking on a dark crisp look -- 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with dressing and celery sticks. Use the sticks like spoons -- spooning dressing onto the wings. Now, mind you these wings are DELISH all by themselves and do not expect to have leftovers. It's not happening rest assured!

For "hotter" wings.. you can add a dash or two of cheynne pepper. (red pepper) but only a dash or two, til you get a feel for how "HOT" you want the wings.


Post your comments about the recipe if you make it! I get good reviews all the time about it!



Have a wonderful day!

I need a home!

Caramel


Okay, I figure this is worth a try... I need to find this baby a home. She's what I am going to refer to as a "brindle" calico. Her coat looks like a brindle bull dogs coat. She's very sweet and loving and needs a good home to go to. I live 45 minutes west of San Antonio Texas and can haul her to a new home within a 3 hour drive of me. I don't mind really, so long as whomever wants her promises to take really good care of her. She lets my 4 yo son haul her around like a scarf, and purrs constantly. She enjoys attention obviously! So, if you know anyone out there in the market for a rare coloured baby girl kitten -- do let me know in the comments section and we will see what we can manage! I will be posting in my local freecycle as well. I will keep you up to date on her getting a home. Thanks.

Kittens!

Caramel

This kitten ...... I think she's terribly ugly. However, she really does make up for it in sweetness. She lets my 4 yo son tote her everywhere. She just flops on him and purrs, and tolerates him quite well. I think I may have a home for her. Am going to verify that soon. If not and you pass by here let me know if you want her and if the other family has decided to opt out of adopting her I will contact you? *shrugs* I live in Texas as you know.. Texas Hill country -- so transport out of the area could prove interesting.

Weekend Dog Blog # 3

Rayne in the classic RUB MY BELLY pose....

Okay Okay Okay! So it's a stuffy dog! But we do not have a real dog as we do not have time for one. With 4 kids -- a 12 year old "genius", a 10 year old "superkid", a 4 year old "lil man", and an 18 month old "munchmouse" - having a dog would just be that much more work that I could not see handling right now. Rayne is my 18 month old's dog stuffy and his more favorite place to be is in my munchie's arms! I thought it would be fun to bring some creativity to the WDB! I didn't find any rules on it and well, it IS a dog! You can visit my good friend Becca here to see Ditters and learn all about her loveable and sweet rescue! And for the rest of the Weekend-Dog-Bloggers # 3 you have to visit SweetNicks! Also, Farmgirl has her farm dog running the farm after the chicken Whitey of course! Have a great day Everyone!