Great Way to Display Horse Show Ribbons

While Madison was home for spring break, we set out to organize her many, many boxes of horse show ribbons.  She had a great idea to display them in a vase, so we went to TJ Maxx.  They had SO many choices of glass vases in all shapes and sizes!  Very affordable too! All I knew was I HAD to have a lid to keep the dust out.  There is no way I was ever going to take those ribbons out and dust them, so a lid was necessary!

It was a little tough to settle on one, but this is it...

We gathered all of her show ribbons from the early years...

and we got to work....

well, Madison got to work, I mostly watched :o)

What a great afternoon this was!  We found show ribbons dating back to 2001!  Her very first horse show ever was at the Funny Farm. She was in the Walk class on Sweet Sue and won ALL blue ribbons!  and that is how she acquired the horse showing bug! The bank account was always empty after that...thanks to horse showing

Sweet Sue & Madison back in 2001 - toooo cute!

We also found ribbons from her very first out of town show! Again, on Sweet Sue at the Greater Orlando Hunter Jumper Association show.  Great memories!

(that show is when I realized how much horse shows can break the bank! WOW! That bill was a shocker!)

We found ribbons from her first show with her very own horse - Shameless!  

First show with Shameless in Jacksonville - Big Winners!

Her first 4-H show ribbons, and so many more great memories!

First 4-H Show with Shameless - lots of Blue!

We done good! I am so happy with how the ribbon display turned out!

...and we still have ribbons leftover!  Time to get another vase!

Madison picked up another vase to hold ribbons from 2 very special horses - Carlos and Jordy.  Carlos was a 4 year old German Warmblood given to Madison after a tragic trailer accident took the life of her beloved jumper. EWSZ, Inc. donated Carlos to help Madison move past the tragedy.  Madison loved working with Carlos - they learned a lot from each other, and being the sweetest horse ever, he really did help her through such a horrific time in her life. If you are in the market for a beautiful, talented horse with a great mind (who isn't?), definitely check out the website!

Jordy was a lease horse from Tri-Color Stables. Jordy is a great jumper! Madison had so much fun with Jordy. She learned so much from him and was very successful showing him. Working with Angie was wonderful as well. It was our first time ever leasing a horse, and we were fortunate to have such a great experience thanks to Angie! You can see A jumping video of Madison and Jordy here.

Tropical Pork Chops

Allrecipes Tropical Pork Chops

I am always on the lookout for great pork recipes, which is surprising to some as I never really liked pork.  However, several years ago I realized I was overcooking pork, and this is why it was always so bad when I made it!  Now it is one of my favorite meats to cook! 

The USDA has always recommended pork be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees - not wanting to kill anyone I, of course, followed the rules! Until i learned that chefs everywhere will tell you that is WAY overdone!  you could break a tooth on pork that is so overcooked! 

Recently the USDA has changed those guidelines and lowered the safe cooking temperature for pork to 145 degrees.  It's true! Check out this article. This is much better! Although with all of those meat thermometers out there that guide you to overcook pork - I'm sure many are still following that practice and eating 'the other white meat' overcooked.  When I cook pork, I take it out around 138-140 degrees and then let it rest for about 5-10 mins. I haven't made anyone sick yet... 

I served Tropical Pork Chops over the weekend, and we really enjoyed them. The sauce is delicious and very easy to make. I made some minor changes to the recipe as follows...

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/8 teaspoon onion salt
• dash cayenne pepper
• 4 boneless pork loin chops
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup pineapple tidbits
• Hot cooked rice

Directions:

In a saucepan, combine the first eight ingredients. Cover and simmer until sugar is dissolved, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat; set aside. Season pork chops with salt and pepper. In a skillet, cook pork, onion and garlic in oil until meat is caramelized. Add pineapple juice and reserved sauce. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes or until the meat is 140-145 degrees. Stir in pineapple and heat through. Serve over rice.

note:  Next time I make this I will be sure to use fresh pineapple instead of canned.

Lemon & Thyme Sea Salt Scrub

Sea Salt is derived from evaporated seawater and is chock full of minerals beneficial to skin.  When mixed with oil, such as olive oil or almond oil, salt can breathe new life into tired skin.

Exfoliation with a salt scrub removes dead skin cells. The longer dead skin cells stay on the surface of skin - the harder they get. This hardened layer of dead skin cells will become thicker and thicker until it is removed - this can make the skin look dry and flaky; exfoliation with a salt scrub removes this layer and uncovers the moist, shiny skin hidden underneath! Who doesn't want shiny skin?

 This invigorates the skin and helps to improve circulation as well. Improved circulation gives the skin a natural, youthful glow. Scrubbing with salt also helps to remove bacteria from the skin and unclog pores. With its antiseptic qualities, salt kills bacteria and reduces inflammation along with any itching or pain associated with bacterial-related skin diseases.

Exfoliating with a salt scrub also encourages the growth of healthy new cells which tightens the skin, giving it a firmer and younger-looking appearance. Skin regeneration also reduces skin discoloration which evens out skin tone and improves the texture too! 

You don't have to spend a ton of $$$$ on salt scrubs.  You can make your own at home for your own  use and even for gift giving! I used about 1 cup of Coarse Sea Salt, 1/2 cup of Almond Oil, 1 tablespoon of Lemon Zest, some fresh Thyme Leaves, and a few drops of Lemongrass Essential Oil

Luscious Lemon Curd

Luscious Lemon Curd is a creamy, tart mixture of fresh lemon juice, eggs, sugar, and butter, with a little zest thrown in for that lip-puckering lemon goodness! This is an easy dessert that tastes like summer and will impress your friends and family!

Click here for more »

Cupcake Bouquet

This would make a sweet Mother's Day gift!

BONUS - it was easy and inexpensive. The biggest cost was the strawberries and they are on sale

Here is how I made it...

Obviously I had to make cupcakes first.  I used Lemon Cupcakes (I seem to be on a lemon kick right now), but you can use your fave. Be sure to refrigerate them before assembling your bouquet so the icing can harden.

 You'll also need a cute vase or pot (If you don't have one on hand, you can pick one up relatively inexpensively - mine was only $1), Styrofoam, toothpicks, and strawberries or tissue paper.

Be sure the Styrofoam fits snugly in your vase or pot - try it out at the store before you bring it home! Now place the Styrofoam into the vase/pot like so...

Next you put your toothpicks into the Styrofoam.  This vase has a square opening just big enough to fit one cupcake on each side, so I put two (2) toothpicks in the center of each side.  Place them so one cupcake will fit over both toothpicks.  I also placed a cupcake in the center, so I needed 2 toothpicks there as well

Now that all of your toothpicks are in place, pop on those cupcakes!

Be careful not to smudge the icing!

One on each side....

And one smack dab in the middle - right on top!

Next, place 1 toothpick where ever you see an empty spot that needs filling, and this is where you will put the strawberries.  1 toothpick will be enough to hold 1 strawberry, so no need to get all crazy with the toothpicks!  I put the toothpick in the Styrofoam first and then stuck the strawberry on the toothpick.  Try to get strawberries that are on the smallish side...the bigger ones (like many of the ones I have) make it difficult to push them down in there to fill the empty spaces.  Your bouquet will look better if you get all those spaces filled up nicely! Chocolate dipped strawberries would be good too!

You can also use tissue paper to fill in the spaces.  Pick your favorite color that coordinates nicely with your vase/pot, and cut it into wide strips; fold each strip into an accordion and pinch the bottom and then just shove them into the spaces.  If they don't want to stay on their own, you can use double-sided tape to hold them in there.  Mine stayed just fine without any tape... I really like the added color

Once it is all assembled, place it in the fridge to let the icing harden again, and then you can use cellophane to wrap it up and tie a ribbon at the top for gift giving.  These are perishable, of course, so be sure to gift them within a day or two of making them - you don't want mom eating stale cupcakes!!

May 10th - May 16th

Happy Mother's Day to all the awesome mom's out there!  Most especially to my beautiful mother in Texas!  I wish I could be with her to give her a hug, but will have to settle for a phone call - maybe we can Skype this year! 

Love you bunches, Mom!

I know most will be treated to dinner out this Sunday, but after several bad Mom's Day dinners out...I stay home and cook for the family!  So don't be alarmed that my menu includes a meal at home Sunday!  It doesn't mean my family doesn't love me, because what's NOT to love??

Thankfully, Publix is awesome and has New York Strip Steaks on sale this week for $7.99/lb.  I realize $7.99/lb can add up, but it is a HUGE savings off the regular $11.99/lb price. Being the steak lover that I am - I will be treating myself this week!

After all, I deserve it.  Right?

My sweet daughter will be in Savannah at college for mom's day - it will be the first Mother's Day I've had to spend without the incredible person who has taught me all about being a mom (and I'm sure she would tell you that wasn't an easy job!).  I miss her so much, and I know I will be just a little sad on Sunday without her around, but when you look at the big picture it is just another day in the life, so no worries!  I feel so fortunate to have been able to travel to all of her competitions this year, and I am so proud of her and all of her accomplishments.  Love you Mads!

Menu

Thursday - Turkey Burgers and French Fries

Friday - Roasted Chicken Breasts with a garden salad (salad bags are BOGO Free this week).  Remember to use the bone-in and skin-on chicken breasts - it adds flavor and stays juicy.

Saturday - Tropical Pork Chops over rice. I have not made this recipe before, but it seems to have all the right stuff to be yummy, so I'm trying it while Publix has Boneless Pork Loin Chops on sale for $3.99/lb

Sunday - NY Strip Steaks, baked potato, and a garden salad (FYI -  Publix has Hallmark cards on BOGO Free sale this week!)

Monday - Leftover day

Tuesday - Publix Rotisserie Chicken with a garden salad.  The chicken is on sale this week for $5.99! Stop by Publix after work or sometime in the afternoon to pick this up, so it will be fresh and warm for dinner!

Wednesday - Madison's Shrimp Lasagna Rolls with a garden salad

Shopping List

Bakery

4 Burger Buns

Produce
Salad x2 bags (Fresh Express Salad is BOGO Free)

yellow onion x2

tomatos (for the turkey burgers, so buy as many as you think you'll need)

fresh parsley

garlic

Yukon Gold Potatoes

1 Bag of Fresh Baby Spinach

Canned Foods

1 can pineapple tidbits (or if you prefer buy a fresh pineapple and chop it up)

Dairy

Eggs

butter (Publix Sweet Cream butter is 2 for $5)

1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup mozzarella, shredded

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, shaved or shredded

Spices

Brown Sugar

salt

garlic salt

pepper

onion salt

cayenne pepper

Extras

• 1/3 cup ketchup
• mustard
• mayo
• olive oil

• Vegetable oil
• Soy Sauce
• Cider Vinegar
• Pickles
• Italian bread crumbs

• White rice
  1 box of Lasagna Noodles
  • • 2 1/2 cups of your favorite spaghetti sauce

Meat

1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined (I buy it already done)

1 pound ground turkey (On sale for $2.99/lb)

4 Chicken breasts with the bone-in/skin-on 

2 NY Strip Steaks (On sale for $7.99/lb - buy how many you need)

1 lb Boneless Pork Loin Chops (On sale for $3.99/lb)

Easy Homemade French Bread

Allrecipes French Baguettes

If you have a bread maker then go ahead and follow the directions as printed on the Allrecipes site

If you don't have a bread maker, don't feel left out!  Just keep on reading....

I realize  you might think I'm crazy to say this is easy, but believe me I have tried and tried to make good bread to no avail!  I figured it just wasn't in my wheelhouse and decided to stick with the frozen bread dough...UNTIL I found this recipe.  I don't use a breadmaker, and I still find it easy.  It turns out perfect every time!  Few ingredients, only 1 kneading for about 10 mins, and let rise a couple times.  Sorry to say, but you have to put some muscle into good homemade bread 
 it  IS worth the effort!

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 2 1/2 cups bread flour (I like the King Arthur Brand Bread Flour best)
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons yeast
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water
• 
  

Combine the water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl and let sit for bout 15 minutes.  The mixture should look frothy like in this picture...

DO NOT add the salt at this time or you will kill the yeast - that would be sad!

Now add the salt and flour and combine to form a dough...like so (mad rhyming skills haha)

Now it's time to take out some aggression!  Flour your work surface lightly and get some of that flour on your hands too!  Turn your dough out onto your work space and KNEAD. Knead for at least 10 minutes. Think of something (or someone) that frustrates you and take it all out on that dough!  The dough will be a little sticky at first, so keep adding flour as needed to the work surface and your hands, but don't overdo it!  Kneading will work out all that stickiness and aggression too! Multi-tasking - Love it!  If you have a stand mixer and a dough hook you can let that do all the kneading until no longer sticky.

Next place the dough in a buttered bowl and turn to coat the dough with the grease.  Cover and let rise for at least 30 mins or until doubled in size

More aggression?  No worries!  Now that the dough has doubled - give it a good punch!!

On a lightly floured surface, roll your dough into a 16x12 inch rectangle

No need to get a ruler out here!  Just eyeball it - close is good enough - no worries!

Cut dough in half, creating two 8x12 inch (approximately) rectangles. Roll up each half of dough tightly, beginning at 12 inch side, pounding out any air bubbles as you go. Roll gently back and forth to taper ends - and now you have 2 baguettes!

Place baguettes at least 3 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet (I prefer to use parchment paper, but buttering up the cookie sheet works well too). Make deep diagonal slashes across loaves every 2 inches, or make one lengthwise slash on each loaf. 

Cover, and let rise in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes, or until doubled in bulk.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). 

Mix egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water; brush over tops of loaves.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.