Vegan Cinnamon Scones

Check out my daughter's latest creation: 

Click HERE for the recipe....

Rat Traps!

We recently learned that the state tree of Texas is the pecan tree.   We also read a story in our reader about pecans called “A Nutty State”.  Seeing the pictures of the pecans reminded me of a recipe for a yummy treat called Rat Traps.  Click HERE for the recipe.

Vegan Blueberry Pie via Paula Deen

Paula Deen's VEGAN Blueberry Pie

Click HERE for recipe

I dragged my kids to Kroger today with my very specific shopping list and coupons all organized in an envelope.  I told them to go look at magazines while I got the things on the list. I was thinking that if they tagged along with me a few "extras" might get thrown in the cart and mess up my well-planned shopping trip.  Suddenly, my 17 year old runs up with Paula Deen's latest magazine opened up to a glorious-looking blueberry pie (we're suckers for blueberry pie at our house).  Surprisingly, there was no butter in the recipe, but it did call for sour cream. My daughter is a vegan, but she wanted to try the recipe using Tofutti Milk-Free Sour Cream.  Who am I to stop my daughter from making one of my favorite desserts?  So she set about gathering up the ingredients...and messing up my 75% savings plan...but all was forgiven after I took my first bite...it was so light and refreshing - not too heavy or sweet...just good! For the recipe click HERE!

Look What My Husband Found *UPDATE*

*UPDATE* We made the spice mango shrimp for dinner and it was awesome.  We didn't use the chili paste, but added some red pepper flakes to help heat it up a little.  A pinch of the 5 spice is all you need - don't get too heavy handed with it.  We served it with with rice pilaf and grilled asparagus.  The vegetarians ate the sauce with veggie chicken nuggets. Thanks Rock Recipes @barrycparsons!


My husband, Preston, has aspirations of someday visiting or retiring in Newfoundland. I wouldn't mind tagging along...it's beautiful up there...Check it out:

While researching Newfoundland, Preston found this blog:

Rock Recipes has all kinds of recipes and beautiful pictures that make your mouth water!

Today's recipe for Boston Cream Pie looks pretty darn good!

Take a moment to visit this blog! Maybe you'll find something good to fix for dinner.  I'm thinking about this:

Spicy Mango Orange Grilled Shrimp
PDG...Pretty Darn Good!

Don't Miss this Stunning Exhibit!

My family and I went to the Irving Arts Center today to visit the Genghis Khan Exhibit.  I was so impressed with the many items on display and the amount of information provided. My husband and kids had a good time too!

A Few Tips:

• Take a light jacket.  The temperature is kept at a cool 64 degrees due to the mummy and other rare objects on display. Blankets are available.  
• Even though there is a lot to read, this exhibit is little-kid friendly because there are screens located throughout the space with short videos that explain different aspects of Genghis Khan's life.  
• You are also given a character bookmark.  Throughout the exhibit there are touchscreens where you can follow the life of your character. Very cool.
• There are several hands-on activities, one of which is an archaeological digging area.  The kids can search for treasures just like real archaeologists!
• While we were there, 2 musicians played beautiful traditional music.  Check the Irving Art Center website for events occurring on the day you plan to visit.
• The exhibit runs until September 30, 2011

"Although he ruled with an iron fist, he rewarded loyalty and merit.  He established the rule of law and opened trade and exchange across Asia."

Brought to you by....Genghis Khan in the 13th century:
One of our favorite parts of the exhibit was the "brought to you by..." display. Modern day items, jobs, and laws that we take for granted were developed during the reign of Genghis Kahn!

Food and Personal Items:

• Chopped Meat/Steak Tartare:  Mongolian warriors didn't have time to stop and cook.  They minced up meat and stored it under their saddles for food on the go! Today it is considered a gourmet classic. Here's the recipe (sorry my #vegan friends)
• Baklava:  A sweet layered dough filled with nuts and honey. Here's the recipe
• Charcoal:  When the nomadic tribes and warriors did have time to cook they liked to do a little grillin'!
• Forks:  Eating raw minced meat with their hands probably encouraged this invention!
• Eyeglasses
• Pants

Jobs/Government/Environment:

• Librarians
• Pony Express
• Tax Relief for teachers and religious leaders (I like this one)
• Environmental Protection: laws prohibiting the polluting of water
• Diplomatic Immunity
• National Parks: laws which preserved his favorite hunting grounds
• Paper money
• Passports

One last word...the gift shop!

The items in the gift shop were very unique.  There were handmade felt shoes and hats, cashmere sweaters, games, toys, and lots of  "Genghis" memorabilia.  We spent a lot of time in there!

We left these at the store just in case YOU wanted them!

*This post is sponsored by the Irving Arts Center, host of the Genghis Khan Exhibit. I was provided with tickets to the exhibit and compensation for my time. All opinions expressed are my own.

**Recipes courtesy of www.allrecipes.com

New Recipe Posted

I just posted a new recipe for Jicama Slaw (vegan and gluten free)!

Cran-Raspberry-Lime Punch Recipe

Due to budget cuts in education, there are are a record number of teacher retirements this year.  Therefore there are a record number of teacher retirement parties.  After 19 years, one of the best Special Ed teachers in Texas is retiring to spend more time with her family and traveling...good for her!  I was in charge of the punch.  Here is my recipe for a delicious cran-raspberry-lime punch.  It can be doubled, tripled or quadrupled to meet your crowd requirements. Look on my Recipes Page for this awesome recipe!

There are just weeks like these....

Does it seem like some weeks all you do is shop and get awesome deals, and other weeks you barely go into a store?  The latter is one of those weeks for me.  It has been so crazy around here lately that sitting down and planning out a good shopping trip has been out of the question. I'm getting the "itch" to get out there though...I think I'm going through Walgreen's withdrawal - I haven't been there for TWO WEEKS and I know there are some good deals waiting for me there. I'll keep you posted.  In the meantime, be watching my recipes page for a great punch recipe and my Countdown page to see how I'm doing in my classroom this week! Have a wonderful day!

Check out my mom's potato salad recipe!

When I think of comfort food, the first thing that pops into my head is my MOM'S POTATO SALAD.  It's so simple, but oh so delicious.  It's slightly sweet and a little tangy. As a tribute to my mom for Mother's Day, I am sharing her recipe:Check it out on my "Recipes"page!

New Recipes for Mexican Casserole and Mango Salsa

Be sure to head over to my Recipes page for MEXICAN CHICKEN CASSEROLE, VEGETARIAN MEXICAN CASSEROLE, AND MANGO SALSA recipes!!!

Wondering what to do with all of that ground turkey?

Here's a good use for ground turkey:  Meatballs with Pasta and Sauce.  Check it out!