Believe in the Magic Traci Diary

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  • My Aunt Janet’s Pecan cookies – Christmas Making and Baking

    This blog post was originally posted in 2013.  I did not have any pictures of the actual cookie so I’ve added a picture of the cookie.

    Sunday was All Saints’ Sunday.  I got nostalgic so I decided to make these cookies.  I didn’t realize when I made the cookie that it made a BIG batch.  I made at least 6 dozen cookies.  

    So I decided to take some of the cookies to school to share with my co-workers.  They thought they were delicious.

    My Aunt Janet's Pecan Cookies

    Here is the original post:
    The other night, the Wee One handed me a box and asked me what was in it. As I looked through it, I found blank cards and recipe cards. The treasure was two recipe cards written by my grandma. She died Christmas Eve of ’08 so it was nice to see her handwriting one more time.

    My aunt Janet was actually my grandpa’s sister so technically she was my great aunt. I still called her aunt without the great. We spent a lot of time with her. She and my Uncle Mitch had a farm that had willow trees and a pond. I remember going up to the farm for family gatherings and walking around the pond.

    She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004 and within less than a week had passed away. My whole family misses her.

    Pecan Cookies

    aunt janet recipe
    20130303-125522.jpg

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 1 C. shortening, margarine, or butter
    • 2 1/2 c. brown sugar
    • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
    • 2 eggs, beaten
    • 2 1/2 C. flour
    • 1/4 tsp. salt
    • 1 C. pecans

    Steps:

    1. Cream shortening, margarine, or butter with the sugar.
    2. Add eggs and beat well.
    3. Add flour, salt, and soda. Mix well.
    4. Fold in nuts.
    5. Drop from spoon onto greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
    6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.
    7. Cool for about 1 minute and then remove to wire racks to completely cool.
    8. Enjoy!

    Store in an airtight container.

    Christmas Making and Baking

    Happy Eating,

    Traci

  • Creamy Fruit Salad – Countdown to Thanksgiving

    Close to where I spent my teenage years is a meat market and bakery called Landes Meats.  The owners are German Baptists.  The food there is incredible!  In fact, I have a mile-long list of favorite foods from there.

    It’s not far from where I work now, but in the opposite direction from where I need to go home, so the visits to Landes Meats are few and far between.

    One of my favorites is the Creamy Fruit Salad.  I usually buy two salad containers and savor them for days afterward.  Since I can’t get there often, I decided to recreate one of my favorites.

    Once you try it, you’ll see why it’s one of my favorite fruit salads.

    Landes Meats Creamy Fruit SaladCreamy Fruit Salad

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 2 (15 oz) cans of fruit cocktail
    • 1 small package of instant vanilla yogurt
    • 1 (10 oz) jar of maraschino cherries, drained and halved
    • 1 (15 oz) can of mandarin oranges, drained
    • 1 c. mini marshmallows
    • 1 (8 oz) container of Cool Whip

    Steps:

    1. In a large bowl, place the fruit cocktail, undrained.  Sprinkle the yogurt over the fruit cocktail.  Set aside for at least 5 minutes.
    2. Add the maraschino cherries and mandarin oranges.  Stir to combine.
    3. Fold in the Cool Whip and marshmallows.
    4. Refrigerate for a least an hour.
    5. Enjoy the creamy fruit salad as a delicious dessert!

  • Makes It’s Own Gravy Turkey Breast and Easy Gravy

    Countdown to Thanksgiving

    I thought it would only be fitting to start the Countdown to Thanksgiving with a turkey recipe.

    On Sundays, we have a family dinner with my mother-in-law.  Last week, I found turkey breast on sale for 99 cents a pound, so I picked up a 7-pound turkey breast.  I then cooked it up for our family dinner.  My family loved the turkey.  In fact, a week later, my mother-in-law was still raving about the juiciness and tenderness of the turkey.

    Do you want to know a little secret?  I’m 40 years and have never roasted or baked a turkey before.  My grandma would bake the turkey when I lived at home.  Then when I got married, my father-in-law would bake the turkey.  He’s been gone almost two years, so my mother-in-law has taken over the turkey baking.  I decided to try to “roast” one now.

    As I share the Countdown to Thanksgiving, I will share memories from Thanksgiving’s past.

    20 years ago, I was participating in the Disney College Program.  I learned I was not scheduled to work during Thanksgiving weekend, so I opted to make dinner.  I made it on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  Instead of turkey, I roasted/baked a chicken instead.

    More on that Thanksgiving in later posts.

    Somehow my pictures of the turkey breast were erased.  Argh!

    (more…)

  • Menu Plan Monday – November 2, 2015

    Can you believe it is November already? Thanksgiving will be here before we know it.

    Countdown to Thanksgiving

    Speaking of Thanksgiving, I have 9 new recipes to share between now and the third week of November. This means I’ll be posting 3 or 4 recipes a week. All but one of the recipes have been tested and approved by my family. One of the recipes is for a turkey breast that my mother-in-law has raved about.

    The majority of the recipes are for the slow cooker. Anything to make it easier for you. A week before Thanksgiving, I’m going to give you my plan for making the food in stages so as not to do it all on Thanksgiving.

    This will be our first year hosting Thanksgiving, so that will be fun. Last year I made the side dishes and then transported them to my mother-in-law’s house. We’ve already invited my mother, sister, and mother-in-law to Thanksgiving. We have a few other people we want to invite also.

    I’ll post my first Thanksgiving dish on my Cooking It Slow blog. It’s for Makes It Owns Gravy Turkey Breast and Easy Gravy.

    Menu Plan Monday
    Menu Plan Monday

    I created a printable menu but am changing the dates on a few meals. We have leftover side dishes that would go better with the meatloaf than the beenie weenies. So I’m flip-flopping the meatloaf and beenie weenies.

    As you can see, I’m still using the crockpot for my meals. It’s so much easier to use the crockpot for our meals.

    Monday – Crockpot Meatloaf, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, and veggies

    Tuesday – Chicken fajitas, Spanish rice

    Wednesday – Beenies Weenies (We didn’t make them last week.)

    Thursday – Sausage and cheesy hash brown casserole

    Friday – Barbecue Chicken Legs, pasta side dish, veggies

    Printable Version

    What’s on your menu this week?

    This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday.

    Countdown to Thanksgiving Pinterest Page
    Countdown to Thanksgiving Pinterest Page

    Happy Eating,
    Traci

  • Weekly Ramblings – Halloween 2015 – Write 31 Wrap Up

    I'm Hungry

    Today is the last day of the Write 31 challenge.  I can’t believe it’s over.  During the challenge, I hooked a lot of meals and desserts in the crockpot.  It’s been a fun experience.  In fact, as I am typing, there is chicken and hamburger meat cooking for later meals.

    I’m going to continue cooking dinners in the crock pot.  During the month, it’s been a much easier way to get dinner on the table, which is much less stressful on my part.  O would love to do more freezer kits and share them with you.

    My 31-day post will be attached to a page later this week, so you can still refer to it later.  I’m also going to provide printable recipes.  I’ve already put some of the recipes on my Google drive.  Once I finish that, I’ll provide you with a link to all the recipes.  :)

    Here is a list of new and old blogs featuring crock pot meals.  I’ve shared a few of them on my menu plan Monday blog posts.

    1. The Magical Slowcooker
    2. Recipes that Crock
    3. 365 Days of Slow Cooking
    4. A Year of Slow Cooking
    5. Sassy Slow Cooker
    6. Funny is Family – Crockpot Thursday
    7. Six Sister’s Stuff

    Here are 23 recipes I’ve shared over the last 31 days.

    Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes
    Cranberry Relish
    Green beans, ham, and potatoes
    Queso Dip
    Baked Potatoes
    “Oniony” Pork Chops
    Pumpkin Chili
    Pinto Beans and Ham
    Skyline Chili
    Potato Soup
    Crockpot Ravioli
    Easy Pulled Pork
    Balsamic Roast
    Taco Meat
    Stuffed Pepper Soup
    Whipped Cream
    Caramel Apple Crisp
    Bramble Beans
    Cherry Crisp
    Applesauce
    Tomato Soup
    Taco Soup
    Parmesan Chicken

    I hope you enjoyed the recipes I’ve shared.

    (more…)

  • Chicken Parmesan (Day 30)

    I’ve signed up for a 31-day writing challenge. Every day in October, I post a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previously posted slow cooker recipe, or a recipe from another blog.

    Tomorrow is the last day of the writing challenge. I’m getting ready for my next two series. They won’t be as intense as the 31 writing challenge.

    The first series is a countdown to the Thanksgiving series. I have some crockpot meals for the sides and even a turkey recipe for the crockpot. My plan is to have a printable Thanksgiving menu the week before Thanksgiving.

    The second series is a countdown to Christmas. I already have recipes for the I’m Hungry cooking blog. We are going to revisit some of our favorite Christmas cookies and treats. The Imaginative One loves this time of the year because he loves taste-testing the goodies.

    I’ve already tasted two of the recipes for the countdown to Christmas. Both the Wee One and the Imaginative One LOVED the first one. Only the Wee One has tried the other one. He kept going back for me, so I think that is a sign that he LOVED the other treat.

    wpid-im-hungry.jpg

    As I said in other blog posts, we eat dinner with my mother-in-law on Sunday night. Twice during October, we also invited another church member to our Sunday night dinner. On the 11th, I decided to cook chicken Parmesan in the slow cooker. Chicken Parmesan is one of my mother-in-law’s favorite meals. Everyone raved about the deliciousness of the meal.

    About half an hour before dinner, I took the chicken out of the crock. I placed the chicken pieces in a casserole dish and then sprinkled Parmesan cheese over the chicken. Then I put it in the oven for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt. 

    (more…)

  • Taco Soup (Day 29)

    I’ve signed up for a 31-day writing challenge.  Every day in October, I post a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previously posted slow cooker recipe, or a recipe from another blog.

    Yes, I know this is another soup recipe.

    We had lots of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, so it was a good thing I had taco soup on the menu for Tuesday.  There is something about soup on a dreary day.  It helps brighten your soul.

    The Wee One loves tacos, so I thought he would like this soup.  He probably would have liked it better if I had served it with tortilla chips.

    Hubby and I loved the soup.  It’s easy to put together in the morning.  The soup uses ingredients that most people have in the pantry.

    wpid-im-hungry.jpg

    Acting crazy

    The boys decided they wanted me to take a picture of them.  I was trying to get a picture of the soup.

    DSC00489

    This is the Wee One taste testing the soup.  I have no clue while he is holding his head.

    taco soup #2
    DSC00498

    Taco Soup

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 1 lb. hamburger, browned or 2 c. already browned hamburger
    • 1/2 small onion, diced
    • 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
    • 3 heaping Tbsp. Homemade taco seasoning or 1 package of store-bought taco seasoning
    • 1 1/2  c. water
    • 2 (15 oz.) cans of diced tomato
    • 1 (15 oz.) can of tomato sauce
    • 1 (15 oz.) can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
    • 1 c. frozen corn

    Steps:

    1.  Place all ingredients in the slow cooker.
    2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
    3. Top with your favorite toppings – cheese, sour cream, etc..
    4. Enjoy!
    Screen-Shot-2014-10-01-at-1.48.07-PM

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest.  Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

    To check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge, click on this link.

    Oh, and please check back during the first week of November.  I’m planning a small giveaway.  No, it is not a crock pot.  More information will be forthcoming about the giveaway.

    Happy eating,
    Traci

  • Creamy Tomato Soup (Day 28)

    I’ve signed up for a 31-day writing challenge. Every day in October, I post a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previously posted slow cooker recipe, or a recipe from another blog.

    On Friday, Wee One and I went to a bonfire. Since we were going to be eating yummy food there, I planned to have a light dinner, so we were NOT too full. So I chose to make tomato soup and grilled cheese. Yum!

    DSC00189

    The Wee One and I had fun at the bonfire. I made some Boo Mix to share. It was a big hit with everyone who tried it.

    The adults sat with the adults and chit-chatted. The kids ran around caring for people and going on hay rides. I did go on one of the hay rides and screamed during the whole ride, even though it wasn’t really that scary.  

    (more…)

  • Cherry Crisp (Day 27)

    I’ve signed up for a 31-day writing challenge.  Every day in October, I post a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previously posted slow cooker recipe, or a recipe from another blog.

    Can you believe this is the 27th day of the writing challenge?  I can’t believe it, either.

    Tonight I asked the family what they thought of the challenge so far.  The Imaginative One told me that it’s as though everything is normal.  The family is fed and happy, so that is normal.   I don’t have to worry about rushing home from work because I know dinner will be ready.  Those are both winners in my book.

    My mother-in-law has also been happy about the challenge because she hasn’t had to make a Sunday dinner recently.  I’ve been making the dinners to test new recipes.

    On Sunday, I invited my mother-in-law and a member of our church over for Sunday dinner.  I cooked a pre-Thanksgiving dinner – turkey, green bean casserole, rolls, homemade applesauce, and dessert.  I was in the mood for cherry crisp, so I tried to cook it in the crock pot.  The cherry crisp was delicious!

    My mother-in-law and F. loved the crisp.

    I had more on Monday, and it was even better than on Sunday.

    Cherry Crisp

    Cherry Crisp

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 1 (15 oz) can of cherry pie filling
    • 2/3 c. brown sugar
    • 1/2 c. old-fashioned oats
    • 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
    • 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
    • 1/4 chopped pecans
    • 1/3 butter, softened, cut into small pieces

    Steps:

    1. Spray a 2 or 3-quart crock with cooking spray.
    2. Pour the cherry pie filling into the crockpot.
    3. In a small bowl, add the other ingredients (topping) except for the butter.  Mix.
    4. Cut the butter into the topping ingredients using 2 knives, a pastry blender, or your hands until crumbly.
    5. Drop the topping over the cherry pie filling.
    6. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours until bubbly.
    7. Enjoy with ice cream or homemade whipped cream!
    DSC00483
    Screen-Shot-2014-10-01-at-1.48.07-PM

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest.  Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

    To check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge, click on this link.

    Happy eating,
    Traci

  • Menu Plan Monday – October 26, 2015 and Cranberry Relish

    I’ve signed up for a 31-day writing challenge. Every day in October, I post a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previously posted slow cooker recipe, or a recipe from another blog.

    Tonight I’m extremely unmotivated. We had a three-day weekend because of parent-teacher conferences. I taught students all day and then had a 2-hour training. I’ve got to come up with a lesson plan for when I’ll be observed by my principal. My brain cells have been overextended.

    Menu Plan Monday

    Monday – Leftover Turkey, Green Bean Casserole

    Tuesday – Taco Soup

    Wednesday – Beef and Noodles

    Thursday – Sloppy Joe

    Friday  – Beenies Weenies

    Printable Version of the menu

    I'm Hungry

    This post was originally posted in November 2011. (It’s been repinned on Pinterest over 300 times!)

    On Sunday, my father-in-law informed us he was cooking a chicken for Thanksgiving. There were going to be only 6 of us for dinner, and he didn’t want to deal with all the leftovers. The family convinced him that he needed to make a turkey. I wanted to help make the dinner, so I decided what to bring. One of the items was going to be homemade cranberry relish. Yesterday I stumbled on this recipe.

    Earlier in the week, I had created a list of things I needed from the store. One of the items was an orange for the relish. My husband went shopping but didn’t buy an orange. His reasoning was I had oranges at the house. I have grapefruit and clementines but no navel oranges. So I made a trip to Save-A-Lot to go get the oranges. Boy, I’m glad I did. This recipe is easy, and the end result is delicious.

    Cranberry Relish

    Click on the picture for the original blog post

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 2 oranges
    • 1 bag (12 ounces) of cranberries, rinsed and picked over
    • 1 cup sugar
    • pinch cinnamon or Chinese five spice
    • 3 tablespoons water

    Steps:

    1. Zest the oranges.
    2. Cut off the remaining outer peel and pith and discard.
    3. Cut the peeled orange sections into small chunks and add to the slow cooker along with cranberries, sugar, cinnamon, and zest.
    4. Add water.
    5. Cover and cook on HIGH for about 2 hours. (I had to put it on low for about 1/2 hour after cooking it on high.)

    Since my brain cells are overextended, I will leave out the blog spotlight for the week.

    Screen-Shot-2014-10-01-at-1.48.07-PM

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest. Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

    Click on this link to check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge.

    Happy eating,
    Traci