Join me on the front porch (again)...

It's time for Outdoor Wednesday. I love visiting all the other blogs to see what's going on 'outside' their world :-) Here's what's going on 'outside' my front door! I'm still working on the front porch, trying to make it pretty. This week I've added a few little extras.... let me show you:

This is basically how it looked the last time I showed you, but if you look closely (you can click the picture to enlarge), you will see a blue and yellow glass flower in each of the pots - these are to put votive candles in at night. And I also bought another froggy ornament, do you see them?

Here's a close up for you. I think I have a thing for frogs, they look so cute (not the real ones though, I don't really like those, I just enjoy the cute garden ornaments) and I like the acronym F.R.O.G - Fully Relying On God :-) I think I might collect them and add a few more around the yard this year.

Here's a similar picture of the first one, because I realized I hadn't put my new cushions on the chairs! I made these this week with a yard of fabric I got from Hobby Lobby. In hindsight I wish I'd got the more red color so they would stand out a bit better, but they look ok so they have to stay.


Also new is two candle sconces for the columns, you can see one here above,

and this is a close up. These were from Hobby Lobby last week too. I couldn't wait for it to get dark so I could light the candles and see what it looked like . . . . get comfy, cos here's a lot more photos!




I turned on the porch light too, but then it got a bit tricky getting the shots in focus...

Still, you get the idea..... it's looking rather cozy don't ya think?

Don't forget to enter the Yoplait 'spa pack' Giveaway. The link is on the top right hand side. Just leave a comment on that post and your name will be entered in to the drawing. I will be picking a winner on Friday.

I am also linking up to Marla at Always Nesting who is hosting her first Woo Hoo Wednesday :-)

And to the lovely Jan at Boardwalk Bragfest

Spicy Pulled Pork

Yay, it's Tuesday, time for Mel and I to share our PW recipe with you all this week. I must say I am thoroughly enjoying cooking my way through this book. I pick it up almost daily just to flick through it and think about what I would cook next, or I wonder what Mel will chose next ;-) I hope you're enjoying our posts as we share with you the recipes we try.

This week I picked PW's Spicy Pulled Pork. I chose this because I had plans on making it the week earlier (as you will know by now from my previous posts about mother-in-laws birthday). I also made Ree's fresh pico de gallo and quacamole to go along with my 'Mexican' theme and I'm sharing those two recipes today because I know Mel doesn't eat either so she won't be making these if we picked them at a later date (if that makes sense?). . . .

So, first up the pico de gallo . . .

You can find PW's recipe HERE. She also shows you how to make the quacamole after the pico de gallo. This is simple enough to make but such a great blend of flavors, it is one of my favorite things to eat with tortilla chips. I used cilantro from my own garden so didn't have as much as I would have liked, and I only used half a jalapeno (Ree calls for 1 or 2)! My father-in-law liked mine better than store bought because that's usually too spicy and for some unknown reason he seems to have a wussy palate like me and can't stand the 'heat' ;-) I have to say it was the perfect amount of heat for me too.

Once you've made the pico de gallo you simply add a few spoonfuls to mashed up avocados. I love guacamole too and always prefer making my own with fresh avocados. As you can see from the above photo we'd already started devouring it before I got the camera out!

Spicy Pulled Pork. . . this was another simple dish to make, just blend the spices and oils together and rub in to the pork, then put in the oven for about 6 to 7 hours. As you can imagine this comes out super tender and shredded easily. I plated it like PW shows, with lime wedges (doesn't it look pretty?)

You can find this recipe too on Ree's cooking site, it's called Spicy Shredded Pork!

Verdict: It was all super delicious AND easy to make. My only criticism (if I must call it that) was that I couldn't taste any of the spices in the pork after it was made. I mean, it was tasty... but certainly not spicy. Would I make it again . . . a definite yes, the left overs could be used on sandwiches or put in the freezer. I loved it.

I'm linking this to Grace's TMTT and Jen's Tasty Tuesday. I hope you'll visit both of these lovely blogs and see some other great recipes.

Sunday Musings . . . . April 18

We've spent this morning in the garden doing some fertilizing and weeding so this Sunday post isn't as early as I would like it... perhaps I should get in to the habit of writing it out late Saturday night so it's ready to go?

Anyway, here we are week 2 of Sunday Musings. I hope this turns out to be a regular post from me so I can catch up with the week. Remember last Sunday we were celebrating mom-in-law's birthday and I was making a yummy Mexican type meal. Well I will reveal now that I made Pioneer Woman's Spicy Pulled Pork and I served it with warm tortillas and Mexican rice. For appetizers I also made PW's pico de gallo and guacamole and made Margaritas for everyone too. I'll be sharing the recipes on Tuesday for my PW post, so no pictures of that right now I'm afraid. But here are a few pics I took. . .

I cheated with dessert and bought a yummy chocolate cake (you can see above), it had malted balls on top (what we call Maltesers in England) and a delicious velvet frosting. Not sure what velvet frosting is actually, I just know it was deliciously smooth and chocolaty, and we ALL loved it.

This is the beautiful lace shawl I hand knit for mil (I told you she was special) ;-) And she also opened some of her favorite perfume 'J'Adore' by Dior. I have to tell you since, smelling this in Macy's when I bought it I wouldn't mind adding it to my Christmas wish list either - it's gorgeous.

I told Jason to go stand with his Mom to take a picture but the only one I got was of him 'having a sniff'!!!

I got my hair cut this week! That's not usually an event worth mentioning, but I haven't had it styled in over a year. I've had a trim from someone (not my regular hairdresser who I've used for years) and I've cut a few inches off here and there over the past year. My new profile picture shows how long it was, and I do like the look of my hair in that picture, but you know how it is... it never looks like that every day, usually it's pulled back in a pony tail when it gets that long. So, I had it restyled back to how it was last Summer and I tried to take a photo for you!

This was the best of about 50 pictures taken in the bathroom mirror!

I had a night out this week, to my regular monthly book club meeting. I love this club and this 'bunch of women' who to be honest I only see once a month as we gather to discuss our book! We were reading Atonement this month but I only got half way through the book and couldn't renew it at the library so I borrowed the movie from a friend and watched it (on my own I might add, Jason wasn't too interested in seeing it) last Friday night. I was expecting the movie to be really depressing because the friend that I borrowed it from said it was, but I found it more sad than depressing. It was quite an interesting story line. I won't go in to what it was about in case I spoil the story or give too much away.

This month we are reading 'The Art of Racing in The Rain' by Garth Stein. Has anyone read this book? I've it's really good but will make you cry too!

If you don't already know I am trying to update our 'garden blog' on a weekly basis too. I posted 'week 2' yesterday. You can CLICK HERE if you'd like to go take a look and see what's growing. And the link is now on my right side bar. Hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday. Ours isn't over yet and I'm looking forward to a relaxing evening in front of the TV.

Nourish Your Inner Goddess - Giveaway

I have always been partial to Greek Yogurt. I favor it over what I call 'normal' yogurts because it has a certain 'tang' to it and isn't overly sweet. I used to eat it a lot when I lived in England and it brings back memories of when I went to Greece for a week with Jason (while he was working there with the military). While waiting for him to finish work I would order Greek yogurt and honeydew melon from the restaurant in the hotel, take it up to our room and sit on the balcony watching the sun set.

So, I was thrilled when I was asked to try the new Greek yogurt from Yoplait. Of course I said yes! With 12 grams of protein -- twice that found in leading yogurts-- new Yoplait Greek nourishes from the inside out. Available in four delicious flavors, Strawberry, Blueberry, Honey Vanilla and Plain, the brand´s newest offering has a unique thick and creamy texture with the unmatched taste expected of Yoplait.

To celebrate its new Greek yogurt and to encourage women to nourish their inner goddess, Yoplait has teamed up with actress Izabella Miko, who plays Greek Goddess Athena in the epic adventure new Warner Bros. Pictures´ and Legendary Pictures´ film "Clash of the Titans," in theaters April 2 in 3D.

I received a 'Nourish Your Inner Goddess' gift pack and two coupons for two free cups of Yoplait Greek yogurt from Yoplait and MyBlogSpark. AND I have another gift pack to giveaway to one lucky reader of my blog :-) To enter just leave a comment on this post telling me which flavor yogurt you would most like to try. It's that simple. I will pick a winner next Friday - April 23rd. The winning package will be shipped directly to you from MyBlogSpark.

I tried the strawberry and plain yogurt and liked them both. I love that the flavored yogurt doesn't taste overly sweet but has a nice undertone of a fresh strawberry taste. I'll be trying the yummy honey vanilla next ;-)

This product, prize pack, information, and giveaway have all been provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.

A Casual Setting. . .

I thought I would share with you my table I set last weekend for my mom-in-laws birthday. I took these pictures not thinking of 'Tablescape Thursday so they aren't that varied, but you do get to see my pretty new plates and center piece. . . .

I had the table set with the small plates and bowls on top of the large plates earlier in the day, but I moved them to the side of each setting ready for when we ate. . .

I love my new center piece. I ordered this from the lovely Kristen at Kristen's Kreations. Her Etsy shop is full of lovely arrangements, tassels and photo frames and pretty jewelry.

Here's a close up of the arrangement. You can't see in the photo above but it has two little butterflies in it that look so adorable. The colors go perfect in my kitchen.

And I have to ask what you think of my new plates? The colors again go so well in my kitchen, I knew as soon as I saw them I had to buy them. Wanna take a guess where I got them from?

Who said 'Goodwill'? Yes! You're right. . . wanna take a guess at the price?

4 large plates, 4 small plates and 4 bowls all for . . . . . . $7.99

Head on over to Susan's at Between Naps on the Porch and check out more great tables. Have a GREAT Thursday and thanks for stopping by. Your comments make my day :-)

Veggie garden update....

I'm joining in with Outdoor Wednesday again this week, but the post is over at my 'garden blog' CLICK HERE if you'd like to go see an update on our veggies. Don't forget to visit Susan and all of the other lovely participants.

PW's Mashed Potatoes

A few years ago I was given a recipe for 'make ahead mashed potatoes' from my friend Heather. That was probably 8 years ago and I still use this recipe for every holiday meal I make... Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving, Easter. . . they really are 'to die for', loaded with butter ,cream and cream cheese. When Melanie picked PW's Creamy Mashed Potatoes for this weeks recipe I was all for making them (because I just LOVE mash) but I really didn't think they'd be anywhere near as wonderful as the 'make ahead' ones I do. Imagine my surprise when I checked her cook book, read the ingredients and realized that it was the exact same recipe I use!!!

The only difference being that my recipe calls for 1 tsp of onion powder (PW uses none) and she uses 1/2 stick of butter more than me.

Here's what you need (this is taken from my recipe, not PW's cookbook) :

5 lbs. potatoes
1 8oz package(block) cream cheese
3/4 cup half and half
1/2 cup butter(1 stick)
1 tsp onion power
1 tsp seasoned salt
1 tsp regular salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper

Cook and mash potatoes with all of the above ingredients. Place in a greased 3 quart dish and sprinkle with paprika (if desired). Bake uncovered 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until starting to brown. These yummy potatoes are a family favorite at my house. This dish is a lifesaver around the holidays because it can be made ahead of time and then just brought to temperature and popped in the oven the next day.

I start mashing my potatoes by hand after they're cooked and drained. . .

then I add in the butter (cut up in to smaller pieces) the cream cheese and the 1 cup of half and half. . . .

along with the seasonings too - I mash them a little more by hand.

then I get out my electric mixer (PW doesn't say to use this but it makes the potatoes the creamiest I've ever had!)

then I spread the potatoes in my glass 13x9 dish. Sprinkle a little paprika on the top, and at this point I usually cover them with plastic wrap and put them in the fridge.

The next day I take the potatoes out of the fridge, bring them to room temperature and bake them (I usually do this uncovered but PW tells you to cover the dish) at 350 for about 30 minutes. I forgot to take a picture of this when it came out of the oven, but it looks pretty much the same as when it went in, just a little browner!

Verdict: Well, it goes without saying that I already LOVED this recipe. They are the best creamy mashed potatoes I've ever had. So yes, they are definitely a keeper and yes of course I will be making them again :-) Another slight difference between the recipes is that PW only uses 1/2 tsp of the seasoned salt and I use 1 tsp. I think it's all a matter of seasoning to your own taste. Try them and adjust the seasoning accordingly the next time you make them.... because trust me - there WILL be a next time!