When my family would set the table for a meal, someone would always say don't forget the Chow Chow. We had Chow Chow on the table for breakfast, lunch and dinner, although we called it supper. We still make our own Chow Chow every summer using my Grandmothers recipe. We usually make enough to last us through the winter and to give as gifts through the year. Grandmothers Chow Chow Grandmothers Chow Chow Miz Helen's Kitchen Makes 12 Pints 1 Gallon Green Tomatoes 6 medium yellow onions 1 large Cabbage Head 4 Green Bell Peppers, seeded 2 Red Bell Peppers, seeded 2 Jalapeno, seeded (optional) 1 Quart White Vinegar 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon ground cloves 2 tablespoons cinnamon 2 teaspoon all spice Method Chop the cabbage in a medium chop In the food processor chop the tomatoes, onions and peppers in a fine chop. In a very large pan, add the cabbage, tomatoes onions and peppers, vinegar, sugar and all the spice, mix w

We just love to visit Farmers Markets in and around our area. It is so much fun to look at all the produce and visit with all the venders about the newest and the oldest tips in gardening and farming.  We recently visited the Athens, Texas Farmers Market, Athens is a very short drive from us and we really enjoyed our visit at their once a week Farmers Market. Direct From The Farm Baskets of Goodness A Tip of The Hat and A Good Morning To Ya From The Tomato Man These Ladies are Ready With Wonderful Samples of Jams and Jellies Fresh Baked Breads From Serenity Baking Company From Backyard Blessing's Lots of Organic Eggs and Food A Farmers Market With Great Music Cash In Hand and Ready For Another Sale Fresh Squash, Black Eyed Peas and Green Tomatoes A Great Meal Just Waiting To Happen  The Local Honey Man This Honey Is Fabulous! Just Look At This Load Of Watermelon's Of Course We Took One Home It Was So Good! I sure am glad th

We are getting ready for a big family gathering this week, our granddaughter Lauren is bringing our new great granddaughter Ella (June Bug) to the country, and of course everyone wants to come out and see them.  I am baking some cookies today have to make sure that cookie jar is full, come on back to the kitchen and talk to me while I bake these cookies and we will go over The Menu for next week. Sunday Chipotle Chicken with Chipotle Cream Sauce Fresh Black Eyed Peas Roasted Corn On The Cob Jalapeno Cornbread Peach Cobbler Monday Chipotle Chicken Salad Wrap  Cold Sliced Melon Left Over Peach Cobbler Tuesday Skillet Chops with Roasted Corn Black Bean and Pineapple Salad Fresh Sliced Tomatoes Corn Bread Muffins Lemony Nana Trifle Wednesday Spaghetti and Meat Sauce Green Tossed Salad Garlic Bread Left Over Lemony Nana Trifle Thursday Full Plate Thursday Summer Spring Rolls Vietnamese   at V

It's Full Plate Thursday Where All The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather We have been very busy this week getting ready for some family that are coming for a visit. We have been getting all the fishing equipment ready because they all love to fish. Come on down to the dock with us we will just have a big picnic down by the water and who knows we may even catch some fish.  I am very excited to see what you are sharing today.  Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday, your visits are very special to me and I hope you will come back real soon! This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week Breakfast Crock Pot Breakfast Egg Casserole   at Blessed Beyond A Doubt Morning Snack 7 Days of Green Monster Smoothies   at Don't Waste The Crumbs   Lunch Summer Spring Rolls Vietnamese   at Vivian Pang Kitchen  Fruit Bouquets   at Salmon At Seven Cool Blueberry Gazpacho   at Sensitive Economist Afternoon Snack Perfect Iced Tea    at The Not So Super Mama

We had the most delicious Grilled Chipotle Chicken the other day and I always like to make a little extra for unexpected company or to make a special dish with the left over. This time I created this awesome Chipotle Chicken Salad Wrap and I really wanted to share it with you today. Chipotle Chicken Salad Wrap Chipotle Chicken Salad Wrap Miz Helen's Kitchen 3 cups Grilled Chipotle Chicken, chopped fine ( Recipe Link Here ) 1/2 cup celery, chopped fine 1 cup Red Seedless Grapes, chopped 3/4 cup Pineapple Chunks, drained well and cut in half 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt 1/2 cup Mayo Salt and Pepper to taste Lettuce for the Wrap Tortilla's for the Wrap Chop the Chicken in a food processor just until chopped fine In a large mixing bowl add the Chopped Chicken, Celery, Grapes, and Pineapple Chunks Mix the Greek Yogurt and the Mayo together and mix into the Chicken Mixture Add Salt and Pepper to taste Lay the Tortilla Wrap flat add the lettuce, then add the Chipotle

When I start to plan my menu each week, I always look at my pantry to see what is available, then to the garden to see what fresh vegetables will be available for the week. By the time I buy some things from a local farmers co-op like eggs and dairy then I may be off to the farmers market for some fresh fruit. Peaches are good right now and the watermelon are just wonderful.  I hope you are in an area where you can enjoy some wonderful summer fruits and vegetables.  Lets take a look at this weeks menu. Sunday Beef and Veggie Ka Bobs Rice Sliced Melon Tossed Green Salad Hot Cottage Bread Lemon Cheese Cake with Sour Cream Topping Monday Mexican Bean Casserole Fresh Tomato Salsa Homemade Tortillas Apricot Empanadas Tuesday Stuffed Zuchinni  Tossed Green Salad Garlic Bread Left Over Empanadas Wednesday Crock Pot Beef Stronoff Egg Noodles Green Peas Corn Bread Muffins Glazed Zucchini Lime Cookies Thursday Full Plate T

It's Full Plate Thursday Where All The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather When I walked down the path to check the gate this morning to make sure that you could get in, I saw a duck family out for their morning walk, they were the cutest things.  We have quite the animal community that lives here. One of the first guest today is our little Squirel friend.  I can't wait to see what you have brought to share with us today so let's  find your basket and take it to the table.  Thank you so much for coming today, your visits are so special to me, come back soon!   Our First Visitor Of The Day This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week Breakfast Omelette Roll   at All Is Amazing Celery Root Bacon Hash Browns   at Gutsy Morning Snack Apple Fritter Bread   at  Making Memories Lunch Watermelon Shrimp Salad at  Now Things Are Cookin Beef, Black Bean and Corn Empanadas at  Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom Raspberry Cream Cheese Cups   at  DJ

I really enjoy serving a dessert Empanada with a Mexican or Southwest dinner menu.  I recently planned a lovely dinner party for some friends and thought this would be a great dessert to share with them, and then of course I wanted to share them with you.  Sure hope you enjoy these Apricot Empanadas. Apricot Empanadas A Great Dessert Apricot Empanadas Miz Helen's Kitchen Filling 2 (12 ounce) bags of dried apricots 2 cups water 2 4" cinnamon sticks 1 vanilla bean, sliced down the middle on one side to open 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger In a medium saucepan combine all ingredients.  Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the apricots are soft.  Check the water level frequently to ensure that the apricots don't run dry.  Most of the water will be used for reconstituting the apricots so they shouldn't be watery after cooking.  When soft, mash apricots with a fork or place in food processor and pulse a few times to mash

We have been busy canning and freezing  garden vegetable's this week, we have been blessed with a bountiful harvest this year. Our weather has been just beautiful and we have had some really nice rain this week. VBS at our church starts this week so I am going to be busy with telling the Bible Stories to all the little ones, I just love making special things for them. Come on back to my craft room with me and I will show you some of the projects and we can talk about next weeks menu. Sunday Grilled Herb Pork Loin Roasted Asparagus Delight Watermelon Salad Cottage Rolls Apricot Pie Monday Garden Fresh Tomato Soup Candied Dijon Bacon Grilled Cheese Left Over Apricot  Pie Tuesday Stuffed Peppers Mashed Potatoes Tossed Green Salad Garlic Bread Mixed Fruit Delight with Cream Sauce Wednesday Taco Salad Homemade Tortillas Guacamole Salsa Mexican Wedding Cookies Thursday From Full Plate Thursday Apri

It's Full Plate Thursday Where All The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather I am so excited to see all of you today. My goodness we have been in a whirlwind of celebration with two week ends for the 4th Celebration.  It is really nice to slow down just a bit and enjoy the beautiful summer weather we are having I know that some of you have really had horrible heat and storms like we had last year. Come on back to the porch and sit under the fans with us we are all having some ice cold lemonade and it is so good, I just know that someone will bring a special treat to go with it. Thank you so much for coming today, your visit is always very special to me and I hope you come back soon! This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week  Breakfast   Banana Bread Pancakes at Bliss Morning Snack Honeydew Refresher   at Storybook Reality Strawberry Dumplings   at That's Some Good Cookin' Lunch Zucchini Bake   at My Sweet and Savory Asian Noodle Salad   at The Alche