TheKitchenCookie

Do you ever get that "I'm totally over food!!" feeling? Well that's where I'm currently at. I'm tired of thinking about food and what I should prepare for the next meal or who might or might not like what I do prepare. So meals have been simple around here for quite a while and usually contain a salad and meat of some kind. I make no apologies for this because this seems to be what everyone feels the best on anyway and it's not time consuming. At least not usually. :) Wraps are another easy meal that we all enjoy with one exception. "The Princess" isn't crazy over them but she has to figure something out on her own if she doesn't like what is on the table, which she usually does. :)   Lunch is even simpler since it's just me and the photo above is one of two things that I currently enjoy the most. Easy, refreshing, with all the right components. Fruit, protein, fiber, and healthy fats. What's not to like?   And it&

  Because my life really isn't all about food :) here's a peak of another part of my life.     It's coming people, God promised that it would.     The bird even agrees, and they know things.                                       These next few photos may not mean much to anyone but me but I love to look at them because yesterday morning these two rooms looked nothing like this!!   The Can Cellar   Just the after photos :) there's a real good reason for this.   I love things in order!   Lots of empty cans, I know, but... you know... Summer comes after Spring and then they'll be useful again. Oh and just to give you an idea of how full it was of these empty cans. The top shelf that you see... yep FULL of cans left here when we moved that I haven't used in the almost 8 years that we live here. Thank goodness for that Local Area Facebook Yard Sale thingy!! That was a brilliant idea BTW!   The Pantry     Th

  Over the years I've tried at different times to like cottage cheese but just never could say that, yes, I definitely enjoy this! Recently I was reading through the Trim Healthy Mama book and came across a recipe with cottage cheese that made me decide to try it ... again. I added a few ingredients to the original recipe because I thought I would like it better. And... I can honestly say, yum, I loved it! :)   1 Large Apple, diced  Splash of Lemon Juice Toss together.   Add: 1 cup Cottage Cheese 1 Celery Rib, diced 1/3 cup fine, unsweetened Coconut ½ cup dried Cranberries 1/8 cup finely chopped Walnuts Salt, to taste Give it a stir and enjoy! ♥     

  Currently in progress is another beautiful snowy day! No school, just a cozy, relaxing day at home. I'm loving it!     Stay safe and warm!   ♥

It's really hard to describe in words just how beautiful it really is outside with all the ice and snow. Here are just a few favorite photos that may give you a glimpse of it.    Tonight's Sunset edit free photo   Many people and businesses had to trade convenience for the beauty but thankfully the electric company(s) are slowly but surely getting things up and running again.   afternoon light  evening light     The boys had school today but Serena's school did not have electricity soon enough this morning so she ended up here at home again. She is ready to get back! Have a Blessed evening! ♥   

  My Bluebird friends visited yesterday. :)     Are they not beautiful?!   ♥♥♥  

    If you like mint and chocolate ganache you are in luck. Just the right amount of each is found in the creamy goodness of this pie.   My sister Karen shared this recipe with me. She added the decadence of the ganache to it which is a perfect addition.   1 baked 9" pie shell 8 ounces dark chocolate chips 1 cup heavy cream   Heat cream till bubbles appear around the edge. Pour over chocolate chips, let sit for a minute then stir till smooth. Pour into baked pie shell. (I used half of this and thought it seemed like enough). Refrigerate until firm.     Mint layer: 8 ounces cream cheese 1 can sweetened condensed milk 8 drops green food coloring 1 Tablespoon peppermint extract 16 ounces Cool Whip, divided   Whip the cream cheese until fluffy. Add the milk, mint, and coloring and stir to combine. Fold in most of the Cool Whip. Reserve enough for the top.     Assemble and enjoy. Garnish with chocolate curls or shavings.    

    Some mornings just need a delicious start.   Okay, ALL mornings should start out on a good note, and most of them do! :) But just in case, good food certainly helps!    ½ zucchini, shredded ½ smallish onion, shredded button mushrooms, sliced butter 1 poached egg ½ Tablespoon bacon bits salt, pepper, & red pepper flakes   Saute zucchini shreds, onion, and mushrooms until tender and beginning to brown.   Meanwhile prepare a poached egg by cracking an egg into an inch of boiling water. Continue to boil gently until desired doneness is reached.   Enjoy with a few bacon bits for a yummy satisfying breakfast.                                                                                       We were looking forward to a visit from my sister and her family this weekend but alas, the flu got in the way :( (Murphy's Law, or something like that? ha) We are all disappointed but the kids especially feel this. Not having any cousins ar