My Favorite Things

Blood Orange Margaritas

Hands down my FAVORITE drink!!! If you didn’t know, blood oranges are a seasonal fruit available between January and March.  So right now is the season!  We found our first bags of blood oranges last week.  You can buy blood orange juice, but it tends to be pricey.

blood-orange-3

We fresh squeeze 3 to 4 bags at a time and freeze the juice.  We freeze enough juice so that we can have margaritas well into the summer.  It is a sad day when the juice runs out.

blood-orange-2

Recipe

3 ozs. tequila (which ever tequila you like best)
2 ozs. grand mariner
3 ozs. simple syrup (1 c. water & 1 c. sugar)
2 ozs. fresh lime juice
3 ozs. blood orange juice

Put everything in a cocktail shaker and shake it up.

Rim the glasses in sugars crystals using lime – we use Wilton

wilton-sugar

Fill the glass with ice and pour in the beautiful margarita.  Squeeze in lime juice and garnish with the lime.

Enjoy!

“Go To” Dinner

We all have that one dinner that is our “Go To” dinner.  Mine is parmesan/breaded chicken breasts and orzo & rice pilaf.  Add a salad to that and you have a great dinner that is quick and easy to prepare.  My family never complains when I make this meal.  This is also the meal I make to take to friends when they need meals.  Again, never any complaints.

Crispy Baked Chicken

3/4 c. bread crumbs or panko
1/4 c. grated parmesan
3 T. butter
1 egg, beaten
3 chicken breasts

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Grease baking pan.

Melt butter in microwave and add bread crumbs and parmesan.

Dip chicken in the beaten egg, then dredge in bread crumb/parmesan mixture.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until done.  Will depend on the thickness of your chicken.

 

Orzo & Rice Pilaf

2 T. butter
1/4 c. orzo
1 very small white onion, minced
3/4 c. white rice
1 can chicken broth
1/8 tsp. black pepper, or to taste

In a 2-quart saucepan, melt butter.  Add orzo & cook, stirring occasionally until orzo is browned.  Add onion & cook until onion is soft.  About 5 minutes.

Add rice & pepper, stirring to coat.  Add broth and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes.  Rice should be soft and fluffy.

Enjoy!

My French Rolling Pin

I LOVE my French rolling pin. For years I used my Grandma Grace’s rolling pin, that she gave me.  It was the rolling pin she & I used to roll cookies when I was a little girl.  While her rolling pin holds so many sweet memories, my French rolling pin is “the bomb!”  It makes rolling cookies, bread dough and everything so much easier. If you have never tried one, I encourage you to get one.  You will love it.

My grandma’s rolling pin and her recipe box with recipes in her handwriting.  These things are two of the most precious items I have.

grandmas-rolling-pin

 

 

Natural Face Wash

My hubby Scott swears by this face wash.  He has fought adult acne for years and this magic concoction seems to be the answer.

Recipe:

1/2 jar coconut oil
1/2 cup baking soda
1 T honey
6-7 drops lavender oil
10-12 drops tea tree oil

You can lower the amount of baking soda if you have sensitive skin.  I can’t use it at all because of the baking soda, but if you have tough, manly skin you should be just fine.

 

S’well Bottle

I love, love, love my S’well bottle.  Made from aluminum, keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours!!  I put ice water in mine in the morning, even with adding water throughout the day, I still have ice in the bottle when I get home from school.  My bottle has been dropped and bumped around, but still works!

S’well also is a company that gives back!  They give to UNICEF to provide clean drinking water to vulnerable communities throughout the world!  There is so much to love about this company and their products.

  • Keeps your drinks cold for 24 hours, hot for 12
  • 18/8 double-walled stainless steel, non-toxic, non-leaching and BPA free
  • 9oz & 17oz fit in a standard sized cup-holder
  • 25oz holds an entire bottle of wine
  • Bottles do not condensate

Punjammies

Lounging on the sofa with my favorite lap dog.  I am wearing my favorite jammie pants from Sudara – Punjammies.  If you haven’t heard of Sudara, please go to their website and check them out – sudara.org.  This organization helps women in India who were involved in human trafficking.  They created a safe, loving organization to give women safe, steady employment and hope.  They make these wonderful pajama pants, plus many other things.  Please check out their website.  I own two pair of jammies and LOVE THEM!

Silpat Mat

I really love these Silpat mats!  They are good for so many things.  Obviously cookies, but also rolls, chicken wings, potatoes, anything that sticks to the pan!  I used to use parchment, but no more & no more waste.

  • Non-stick 100% FDA approved food grade silicone mat
  • Can be used in all types of ovens except direct fired ovens
  • Never needs greasing
  • Simple cleanup
  • Can withstand temperatures from -40F to 480F.