Welcome to another week everyone!
I am so very, very excited to share this week's Menu Monday with you! I've been raving about the recipes for a few days now, so I'm ready for some of you to try it.
Last Wednesday, I cooked up a storm! We started out with spinach salads (yum!) with feta and olives and Olive Garden Italian dressing. :-) SO good!
Next up came a new recipe for me: BLT Bites.
BLT Bites
From a 2006 Light & Tasty magazine
Ingredients:
28 cherry tomatoes
7 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1/3 cup chopped green onion
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
Directions:
- Cut a thin slice of the top of each tomato.
- Scoop out and discard pulp; invert tomatoes onto paper towels to drain.
- In small bowl, combine the bacon, mayo, onions, cheese, celery and parsley.
- Spoon mixture into tomatoes.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.
Nutrition info:
- 2 stuffed tomatoes = 38 calories, 2 g fat, 1 g fiber..... (NOT BAD!!!!)
These were fabulous, and Mr. Jones (being a tomato fan) was especially happy with them! So after the first two courses, I got to pull out the big guns and serve dessert!
Chocolate-Hazelnut Mousse
From an old Cooking Light magazine
Ingredients:
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
1/4 cup Frangelico (hazelnut flavored liqueur)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 cups frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
2 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts, toasted
Directions:
- Combine the sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, salt and eggs in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk.
- Heat milk over medium-high heat in a small, heavy saucepan to 180 degrees or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil).
- Gradually add hot milk to sugar mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk.
- Place the milk mixture in pan, and cook over medium heat until very thick and bubbly (about 5 minutes), stirring constantly.
- Spoon mixture into a medium bowl and add liqueur, vanilla, and chocolate, stirring until chocolate melts.
- Place bowl in a large ice-filled bowl for 15 minutes or until mixture is cool, stirring occasionally.
- Remove bowl from ice. Gently fold in one-third of whipped topping. Fold in remaining topping.
- Cover and chill for at least 3 hours.
- Sprinkle with hazelnuts.
Nutrition info:
- Makes six servings of about 2/3 cup each.
- 278 calories each
It was, without a doubt, simply divine. Please make it. Please.
Have a wonderful week!
XOXO,
Mrs. Jones
Monday, September 27, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Tid-bits and more....
Happy Friday everyone!
I never did get to show you a few of my birthday specials!
My boss got me this tiny and precious cake! How cute is it?!?! The icing was fab too! It was all Publix!
My sweet husband woke me up with the Vera Bradley bag I've been dreaming of, and let me tell you I haven't carried anything else for the last two weeks! Especially with the shoulder strap on, this bag is AMAZING for my everyday running around and getting all my stuff to and from work!
Any pumpkin-lovers out there? I'm not sure how you'll respond to my sweeet husbands new favorite breakfast food. He is a "grab a Pop-Tart and run out the door" kinda guy in the mornings. I make it to Starbucks for my morning meal (ahem, Frappucino).
Anyways, he loves pumpkin. So I got him these. And he's been gobbling them up! So funny!
Also, for my bargain shoppers out there. Check out your local Big Lots! While I make sure to check expiration dates on anything in that store, I wound up with all this for just $3! Considering that is how much I paid for the Pop-Tarts shown above, I was happy!
And last but not least, PLEASE GO AWAY SUMMER! This little dude was on my car last week. He's cute. But I want him to go away. Fall, please hurry up!
I never did get to show you a few of my birthday specials!
My boss got me this tiny and precious cake! How cute is it?!?! The icing was fab too! It was all Publix!
My sweet husband woke me up with the Vera Bradley bag I've been dreaming of, and let me tell you I haven't carried anything else for the last two weeks! Especially with the shoulder strap on, this bag is AMAZING for my everyday running around and getting all my stuff to and from work!
Any pumpkin-lovers out there? I'm not sure how you'll respond to my sweeet husbands new favorite breakfast food. He is a "grab a Pop-Tart and run out the door" kinda guy in the mornings. I make it to Starbucks for my morning meal (ahem, Frappucino).
Anyways, he loves pumpkin. So I got him these. And he's been gobbling them up! So funny!
Also, for my bargain shoppers out there. Check out your local Big Lots! While I make sure to check expiration dates on anything in that store, I wound up with all this for just $3! Considering that is how much I paid for the Pop-Tarts shown above, I was happy!
And last but not least, PLEASE GO AWAY SUMMER! This little dude was on my car last week. He's cute. But I want him to go away. Fall, please hurry up!
More soon,
Mrs. Jones
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Wishful Wednesday: Pier 1 Tasting Party
I stopped by our little Pier 1 store last week, and let me tell you guys - I fell in LOVE!
I hadn't been in ages, and it was just so much fun. I have my heart set on quite a few things from the Tasting Party items they have featured on the website and in stores right now. I don't care if I just pick up a pair of a few of them - or more! But I will be getting some of these later today to have a fabulous mini dinner with DH for the Grey's Anatomy season premier tomorrow night! And I've got quite a few delish recipes planned that will be featured in Menu Monday coming up!
I mean, check out this spread:
I hadn't been in ages, and it was just so much fun. I have my heart set on quite a few things from the Tasting Party items they have featured on the website and in stores right now. I don't care if I just pick up a pair of a few of them - or more! But I will be getting some of these later today to have a fabulous mini dinner with DH for the Grey's Anatomy season premier tomorrow night! And I've got quite a few delish recipes planned that will be featured in Menu Monday coming up!
I mean, check out this spread:
All photos from Pier 1 website
I do declare.... such fun! What do you think? Don't you just want to try this now!?!
XOXO,
Mrs. Jones
Mrs. Jones
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Eve Belle's birthday celebration....
In pictures....
Thought process: "All these are mine?!? Sweet."
Hope you've enjoyed a peek into our sweet baby girl's first birthday! Do you think we spoiled her enough?
XOXO,
Mrs. Jones
Monday, September 13, 2010
Happy First Birthday, Eve Belle!
I know I've talked about time flying before. But really? Today, my precious little puppy girl is one year old. A whole year!?! Where did the time go? Nine months ago she came home with us, and soothed our still-broken hearts after we lost Butterball just five days after we got him. The months between them were hard, and she gave our little family back it's spark.
I'm so grateful to her, and plan on spoiling her rotten all night! We started celebrating this weekend. My sweet in-laws brought her a new favorite toy. She got a treat this morning, and I took pictures too!
Last December, she came home and was such a tiny little thing. Remember?
Then she grew up, just a little:
And she completely stole our hearts! I'll be back tomorrow, to show you her birthday celebrating! Because this sweet ball of fluff totally deserves every ounce of love we have to give her! She completes our family. She makes me laugh when I want to cry. She makes me smile and play when I'm too tired to want to. Every minute is worth it.
I love you sweet baby Eve Belle. And you will always be my baby girl!
XOXO,
Mrs. Jones
I'm so grateful to her, and plan on spoiling her rotten all night! We started celebrating this weekend. My sweet in-laws brought her a new favorite toy. She got a treat this morning, and I took pictures too!
Last December, she came home and was such a tiny little thing. Remember?
Then she grew up, just a little:
And she completely stole our hearts! I'll be back tomorrow, to show you her birthday celebrating! Because this sweet ball of fluff totally deserves every ounce of love we have to give her! She completes our family. She makes me laugh when I want to cry. She makes me smile and play when I'm too tired to want to. Every minute is worth it.
I love you sweet baby Eve Belle. And you will always be my baby girl!
XOXO,
Mrs. Jones
The Tide Rolls....
I had a blast being in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night - despite the oppressive heat and sprinkles of rain - to watch Alabama beat Penn State. It was beautiful to see. I don't have any great pictures, because the weather had me afraid to take my sweet Nikon D40. So, I had to settle for iPhone quality pics instead.
Anyways, it was fun and neat to watch! Roll Tide Roll! I'm ready for some fun times watching Alabama take on Duke and Arkansas on TV now! I've got to get my home-style tailgating recipes ready! :-)
Roll Tide!
Mrs. Jones
Anyways, it was fun and neat to watch! Roll Tide Roll! I'm ready for some fun times watching Alabama take on Duke and Arkansas on TV now! I've got to get my home-style tailgating recipes ready! :-)
Roll Tide!
Mrs. Jones
Menu Monday: Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
Happy Monday lovelies! I hit a home run with this wonderful recipe, along with grilled steak and grilled corn to feed my in-laws on Friday night. Nom!
I know I found this online somewhere, but I printed the recipe and can't find the link anymore. Anyways, it looks delicious so I thought I'd share. Keep passing the good recipes around!
Paula Deen's Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
Ingredients:
- 8 medium baking potatoes, about 4 pounds
- One 8 oz. package cream chesse, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 2 cups (1/2 pound) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 pint sour cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped chives, for garnish
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crip, drained and crumbled, for garnish
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pierce the potatoes and place on a baking pan. Bake the potatoes for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until very soft. Allow to cool.
- Peel and mash the potatoes in a large bowl with a potato masher or the back of a fork. Add the cream cheese, butter, 1 cup of cheddar cheese and the sour cream. Stir well. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper and stir again.
- Spray a 9 by 13 baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray. Place the potatoes into the dish. The casserole may now be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated until ready to bake.
- Bake potatoes for 30 to 35 minutes, until hot. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole and return to the oven for about 5 minutes, until the cheese m elts.
- Garnish with chives and crumbled bacon before serving.
Serves 10 to 12.
Husband asked me not to touch the leftovers, so he has lunch all week. Then he wants me to make it again this weekend. Love it!
Enjoy and have a great first day of the week,
Mrs. Jones
I know I found this online somewhere, but I printed the recipe and can't find the link anymore. Anyways, it looks delicious so I thought I'd share. Keep passing the good recipes around!
Paula Deen's Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
Ingredients:
- 8 medium baking potatoes, about 4 pounds
- One 8 oz. package cream chesse, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 2 cups (1/2 pound) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 pint sour cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped chives, for garnish
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crip, drained and crumbled, for garnish
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pierce the potatoes and place on a baking pan. Bake the potatoes for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until very soft. Allow to cool.
- Peel and mash the potatoes in a large bowl with a potato masher or the back of a fork. Add the cream cheese, butter, 1 cup of cheddar cheese and the sour cream. Stir well. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper and stir again.
- Spray a 9 by 13 baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray. Place the potatoes into the dish. The casserole may now be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated until ready to bake.
- Bake potatoes for 30 to 35 minutes, until hot. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole and return to the oven for about 5 minutes, until the cheese m elts.
- Garnish with chives and crumbled bacon before serving.
Serves 10 to 12.
Husband asked me not to touch the leftovers, so he has lunch all week. Then he wants me to make it again this weekend. Love it!
Enjoy and have a great first day of the week,
Mrs. Jones
Friday, September 10, 2010
Fabulous Frugal Friday: Target style
Happy Friday everyone!
I've hit up a lot of Target deals this week. If you don't already, check out Target.com/coupons. It is awesome, and there are SO many Target store coupons up and running right now.
My two favorite things I picked up this week were Merona coin purses for $3 (after the $2 off coupon on the Target site!) and Pond's towelettes. These were $4.74, but Target has a $1.50 off coupon on their site, and I found peelies on these for another $1.50 off! So, I got a few packs of these for just $1.74. Awesome for something I love to use but hate to pay for!
Has anyone been requesting freebies I've posted? I haven't gotten much in the mail this week, but I'm just wondering if these are helping?
Happy Friday!
XOXO,
Mrs. Jones
FREEBIES:
Free sample of Kashi Go Lean Crisp
Free sample of Playtex Sport
Free sample of Emergen-C
I've hit up a lot of Target deals this week. If you don't already, check out Target.com/coupons. It is awesome, and there are SO many Target store coupons up and running right now.
My two favorite things I picked up this week were Merona coin purses for $3 (after the $2 off coupon on the Target site!) and Pond's towelettes. These were $4.74, but Target has a $1.50 off coupon on their site, and I found peelies on these for another $1.50 off! So, I got a few packs of these for just $1.74. Awesome for something I love to use but hate to pay for!
Has anyone been requesting freebies I've posted? I haven't gotten much in the mail this week, but I'm just wondering if these are helping?
Happy Friday!
XOXO,
Mrs. Jones
FREEBIES:
Free sample of Kashi Go Lean Crisp
Free sample of Playtex Sport
Free sample of Emergen-C
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Twenty-five.
Today I'm 25. It feels a little odd. I'm not sure how I feel about it. My sweet mom had a quarter-century life crisis when she turned 25. I find that a little funny since she's 55 now! She said it only gets easier.
In honor of today, I'm sharing this cute little picture from our honeymoon at Disney World - we got newlywed cupcakes! Ah, what I wouldn't give to spend today in paradise like that! :-)
XOXO,
Mrs. Jones
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
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