CrazyJoy = Attack (revealed)

This past weekend was nuts and I'll save some of that for tomorrow.

So for today I will leave you with my photo for the crazyjoy challenge word: ATTACK.



We hit up the Rock and Rib festival over the weekend and Sweet P attacked the rib bone.

Link up with your photo at Anna's blog today.

Hope you had a great weekend!

CrazyJoy =

Sorry for the delayed post on the new crazyjoy challenge word. I know, you have been waiting on the edge of your seat, barely able to go on with your day, but here it is...



If you want to join in the challenge, here's what you need to know:

1. Think on the word, photograph it, draw it, make it, whatever you want to do to represent ATTACK
2. Come back Monday and I will post my photo, visit Anna to see her photo and also link up through Thursday with your interpretation
3. Then come back Friday where I will post our favorite entry and the new challenge word

Don't forget to check Anna's post today for our favorite entry for ROCK.

Have a safe and fun weekend!

She Likes Dirt

Sweet P is becoming an excellent gardener.

She is really good at rotating our soil.



She's not afraid to get a little dirt on her hands. And legs. And in her hair.



And she'll even taste it to make sure all levels are optimum for planting.





Hmm, I guess that dirt was not quite right.



But I do think someone should teach her to keep a little dirt in the bucket so we can actually plant something in it.



Eric...?

My Favorite Mushroom Risotto

As I typed that I caught myself saying riz-auto in my head like I'm Chef Ramsey. Have you ever heard him say it? It's just like that.

Anyway, one of my favorite not so healthy indulgences is risotto. I've never had it at a restaurant so I have no comparison as to what it "should" taste like. But, I've made it countless times at home and love it.

Here's the recipe I use as a base - not surprisingly from Martha. I get the sliced baby portobellos from the store to help with the prep work because risotto is a dish of love and labor. It's not one that you can start and walk away from. I've never timed it, but I think it takes about 30 - 40 minutes of constant stirring.



Not a side I make if the husband has to work late.

It's also a great recipe to use any frozen, homemade chicken broth because it calls for like 5-6 cups of chicken broth.

Since the risotto needed serious attention, I baked some salmon and steamed some asparagus to have with it (it also balanced out the meal to be a little healthier). Although, I could eat of bowl of just mushroom risotto by itself.

Yes, it's that good.



And that's what we had the other night.

Here's my adapted version of her recipe:

• 5-6 cups homemade chicken broth
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 large shallot, diced small
• 1/2 pound sliced baby portobello mushrooms
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 1/2 cup white cooking wine
• 2 handfuls grated Parmesan (probably about 1/2 cup)
• 3 tablespoons chopped mixed fresh herbs, such as parsley, marjoram, and chives

I'm really wanting to try this recipe next:

Source: thewellfednewlyweds.blogspot.com via Lesley on Pinterest

It's supposed to be a quick version that you can bake!

CrazyJoy = Rock (revealed)

Time to reveal our photos for the crazyjoy challenge word: ROCK.

Here's mine:



That was my attempt to rock Sweet P. She had other things in mind like looking at her books. I miss being able to rock her to sleep but it's pretty fun to see her remember her favorite books and point to different things. Plus, I guess I'll have another one coming along soon to rock to sleep!

And Anna's:



If you joined in the challenge this week, link up below:




Hope you all have a great week!!

Oh, and make sure you check out my friend, Danielle's blog today for her adoption HUGE day of giveaways and help bring her baby home!

CrazyJoy =

Finally Friday! Before you head off to enjoy your fabulous weekend plans, here's the new crazyjoy challenge word:



Here's what you need to know to join in with me and Anna:

1. Think on the word, photograph it, draw it, make it, whatever you want to do to represent it
2. Come back Monday and I will post my and Anna's photo and you can link up through Thursday with your interpretation
3. Then check out Anna's blog on Friday where she will post our favorite entry and the new challenge word

This week was tough to pick a favorite entry for YOUNG. There were cute, young ducks, gorgeous, young couples and amazing wedding dress but ultimately, the baby and the kitten won us over.  Thanks, Jen! Go check out all the entries last week for some other great photos.

Thanks for all the fun photos you guys shared last week. Hope to see you all back next week to link up.

Until then, have a great weekend.

Proof I Still Cook

Last weekend marked the beginning of college football season! Go Cowboys!
I love this time of year, especially because of the insane, record-breaking summer we just had.

The mornings are cool and crisp but the sun is out and warms the afternoon, perfect mix of cool and warm. I also like long sleeve shirts, jeans, weenie roasts by a campfire and the smell of fall. I also realize I am not in college anymore and shouldn't dress like I am, but I love hoodie sweatshirts and just can't let them go.

Anyway, another reason I love college football games is because we almost always eat fun game-day food. I went to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and we started the tradition of eating great food on game days. If it was an away game, there would be meat smoked, chips and dips a-plenty and tasty treats. Home games could be enjoyed at Eskimo Joe's eating world-famous cheese fries or in parking lots on tailgates. Ahhh, I can smell the game-day flavors now!

Sorry about the sidetrack, back to last weekend and food!

Now, I didn't invent this recipe and there are probably a hundred different recipes out there on these but I'm going to go ahead and share how I make jalapeno poppers.

These are one of those perfect game-day treats: two bites, on a stick and make no mess.

Here's what you'll need:

• 12 jalapeno peppers
• 1 8oz tub of Philadelphia chive and onion cream cheese
• 2 slice of American cheese
• 12 slices of uncooked bacon

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Wash the jalapenos, slice them in half and remove all the seeds and ribs (those are the hot parts).



Then cut the American cheese into little strips and put one into a jalapeno slice, then spoon in some cream cheese and set aside and repeat with the remaining jalapenos.





Next, cut the bacon in half lenght-wise and wrap one half of a slice of bacon around the cheese-filled jalapeno. (Sorry, no pics here due to gross raw bacon germs.) Then stick a toothpick or small kabob stick through on end to the other to hold the bacon in place while it cooks. Repeat with the remaining jalapenos.



Put the assembled poppers on a wire rack and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the bacon is brown and starts to crisp. Let them cool a few minutes before digging in, otherwise you'll melt your tastebuds off.



These are also really good cooked on a grill but the husband was fishing so I had to use the oven which was also good.

I also bought enough jalapenos and bacon to try this recipe I saw on pinterest, but due to a small kitchen fire that ruined all the cooked bacon pieces, I only got to make a few.

The few I did get to try were dangerously good!




So there, proof I'm still around and still cooking.

CrazyJoy = Young (revealed)

Happy Labor day! I hope you get to enjoy the day with those you love!

Here's my and Anna's photos for week 16 of the crazyjoy challenge, YOUNG.

Mine:



An old picture of me and my sister that I found at my grandpa's house over the weekend.

And Anna's:



How fun. The NSYNC folder cracks me up. Check out her blog for the letter she wrote to herself when she was 14! It's awesome. Oh, and link up with her if you joined in.

Otherwise, have an awesome Labor day!

CrazyJoy =

Ooops, I forgot to post this earlier today. Hopefully you checked out Anna's page for the new word, if not, here it is:



Have a great, LONG weekend!

Embrace the Camera - My Girl

Here's another picture my sister got the other day for me. It's one of my favorites of me and my girl.

I love her sweet little expression.

So, go Embrace the Camera.