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Thursday, May 12, 2011

Delectable Dishes: Banana Boats

Good morning bloggies!
How have you been?  What have you been up to?  What about me?  Well...yesterday, I got to spend some much needed time with my Nana (so much time that I forgot about Wednesday's Fair Fido post- my bad!).  With gas prices so high it is hard to visit family as often as I would like, and I treasure the time I get to spend with them.


How hungry are you this morning?  My little cousin Ethan inspired this morning's post by chowing down on my Nana's bananas (what a rhyme!) yesterday.  I found this recipe on the "Lick My Spoon" blog.  Wouldn't this be a cute no-fuss snack or dessert in the heat this summer?  I just love it!

Banana Boats


Banana Boats
Ingredients:
Bananas (As many as you need. Estimate 1 per person. Once they taste it, no one will want to share.)
Chocolate chips, butterscotch, peanut butter chips, sweetened coconut (Or whatever other toppings you fancy.)
Foil
Preparation: 
1. Choose your bananas. I personally like mine ripened until perfectly spotted. I think they are sweeter this way.
2. Slit the banana lengthwise.
3. Stuff them with any combination of toppings you desire. I am a big fan of dark chocolate and butterscotch.
4. Line your grill with foil, and place the nanas on top.
5. Grill with the cover on until toppings get melty and delicious.
6. Eat with a spoon.

Hang in there guys it's almost the weekend!
Have a blessed day :-)
Cassidy

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Fabuolus Finds: My Exciting Pottery Barn Find!

Good morning whimzies!
I don't know about where you live, but here in the mountains of North Carolina it is supposed to reach 90 degrees today!  It appears that summer is paying us an early visit...I won't complain!


I am so excited to share my first ebay experience with you.  I am a Pottery Barn addict, and I have several pieces because I am pretty good at hunting up bargains in either the sale's part of the store or online.  My ebay find was no different!  I have been eyeing these Holman shelves from Pottery Barn for about a year now....
 




 I never could afford them because I needed two and they were around $85 a piece.  What a surprise and blessing it was to run across these shelves on ebay for $39 a piece from dealmakers usa!  WOW...I couldn't resist (it was such a good deal that I put it on my credit card eekkk...my hubby just LOVED that - but hey he gave me permission ;) And he did love the shelves once they were here.  With GREAT excitement I present to you the newest addition of our home:  




And if you know me you will understand...  I just can't wait until Christmas so I can create a magical wall display such as this one from Pottery Barn!!!!  (Stay tuned...wink wink)


Monday, May 9, 2011

Dazzling Abodes: Outdoor Bliss


Good morning, Good morning Whimzies!
I hope all of the mom's and special ladies had a wonderful Mothers Day!  I know many many women who have been a special part of my life (some actual mom's and some that chose to mother everyone rather than having their own children).  I am so thankful for each and everyone of you!  I can't wait to meet more in the future-I know God has many more out there for me to meet as a way to gather inspiration and encouragement as he always provides!


This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalms 118:24


Isn't God good?  I can testify that He is SO good to me! :-)


And its back to Monday... so in order to brighten your day I thought I would showcase some creative (and not to mention) BEAUTIFUL slash DREAMY outdoor landscaping.  Wouldn't you love to step out your back door and enter into one of these pictures?  I know I would...



                 I think I will sit down and read a book here...



             Gather up with long lost friends for a nice chat here...





Schedule a fun filled family dinner and gathering here...



                                                            A nice suntan here...


#8 Swimming Pool with Underwater Lighting

#3 Swimming Pool with Underwater Lighting
And end the day with a relaxing night swim here...
        Ahhhh what a great day dream:-)

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My Weekend
These are my Mom's pink roses!  They make me so happy
everytime I see them...they smell AMAZING! 

My husband finally started his Basic Law Enforcement training after
a year of working at the sheriff's department.  Which means
he ALSO had to shave his head...Yes I CAN say wow again, WOW!

We took my made of honor and good friend Jessica out to eat this weekend and followed
the girls night with a sleepover to celebrate her upcoming May 21st wedding!  We are very excited for her!



Penny and I had a slumber party at my mom and dad's since Cade
had to work all weekend.  Sometimes you get lonely!  What did this mean for 
her?  She got to play with her cousin Chloe!

Have a great Monday!  See you tommorow for Fabulous Finds!  
xoxo Cassidy









Friday, May 6, 2011

Whimz Gem: A Mother's Love

A Mother's Love - 8x8 Signed Photo

Fine art print woodland girl winter White Forest - Mae and Bebe

Beautiful Mother's Day  Word Art

I thank God for Mother's and other special women in our life.  I wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day weekend!
See you Monday :) 
Cassidy

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Delectable Dishes: Happy Cinco De Mayo!



Chiles Rellenos

Happy Cinco de Mayo Whimzies!  
In the spirit of the 5th day in May (taking a break from our royal festivities to celebrate a day of fun fiesta), I decided to share a small "snippit" of this holiday's history before we get to the recipe: 


Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of freedom from a different oppressive European empire: France.  
Today, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated widely in the United States with parties and parades. Surprisingly, the holiday was invented in modern-day California in 1863, and has continued to be celebrated in the United States, but is almost completely ignored in Mexico. Only a few states, including Puebla, recognize it.
Nonetheless, Cinco de Mayo continues to be a strong tradition for Mexican-Americans to express great pride for their homeland, their people and their history.
One of my favorite Mexican dishes?  Yep you guessed it!  Chiles Rellenos...and this recipe looks "delicioso!"





Ingredients
8
Each
Whole Fresh Anaheim or Poblano chilies, or whole canned green chilies
8
Ounces
Monterey Jack cheese (4 ounces cut for stuffing and 4 ounces shredded)
Batter:

2
Each
Eggs, separated
2/3
Cup
Flour
2/3
Cup
Milk
½
Tsp
Salt
1
Tbsp
Olive Oil
Salsa Verde:

½
Tbsp
Olive Oil
2
Lbs.
Tomatillo, hulled and diced
1
Cup
Onion, diced
1
Tbsp
Garlic, minced
1
Tsp
Chili powder
2
Cups
Chicken or vegetable stock
To taste
Salt and black pepper


Preparation Steps (Note: Pre-heat oven to 400° F.)
1.
Fresh Chilies: If you are using fresh whole Anaheim or Poblano chilies then the stem and seeds will need to be removed. Using a paring knife cut a circle around the top stem area of the pepper and then twist off the stem cap. Then carefully remove any excess seeds that are inside the pepper. Add 2 quarts cool tap water to the 4 quart sauce pot and add a little salt then add the cleaned Anaheim peppers. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer until peppers are soft, or about 30 to 40 minutes. Drain peppers and allow to cool completely. If using canned whole green chilies start at step 2 below. Place the chilies on the sheet pan to ensure they are whole and intact. You will find that in most cases the canned green chilies tend to be very delicate and break easily, handle them with great care when taking them out and un-folding them in preparation for stuffing. (See Anaheim chilies in the above image)
2.
Stuffing: With half of the Jack Cheese cut 16 finger length sections (approx. 1/2” X 3” each) and gently insert two pieces into each of the 8 chilies.  Take the remaining half of the Jack cheese and shred it for later use.
3.
Batter: In a small mixing bowl blend the egg yolk, milk, flour, salt and olive oil until smooth. Allow to rest for at least 20 minutes then blend again for a few more seconds. In the meantime in a separate mixing bowl beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry to a soft peak stage. Keep the separate beaten egg whites ready, we will get back to them soon.
4.
Sauce:In the sauté pan add the olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic until soft, then add the diced tomatillo and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer until liquid is evaporated by 2/3 amount.  Transfer the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor and puree until smooth. Transfer the sauce back to the sauté pan and keep warm on a very low heat.
5.
Casserole: With the peppers stuffed and the sauce ready now we can go ahead and assemble the casserole.  Coat the baking dish with a generous amount of butter or non-stick spray. Dredge the stuffed chilies with flour and lay them in the pan. Whip the egg whites again just a bit to ensure that they are still stiff and then fold them into the batter.

Then pour the batter evenly over the top of the chilies, (Optional: sprinkle with a little paprika) and place this into the oven for 15 minutes or until the batter is set and browned.
6.
After 15 minutes remove from the oven and turn on the broiler. Sprinkle the remaining shredded Jack cheese evenly on the top of the casserole and place the baking dish under the broiler for a few minutes to melt and brown the cheese. Remove from the broiler and allow to rest for a few minutes then serve the portions on plates and topped off with the Salsa Verde. See serving suggestion at top of this recipe.  

Recipe Courtesy of cajunchefryan.rymocs.com

I hope you have a lovely day!
xoxo Cassidy :-)