Red Geranium Cottage

Cooking lesson

WOW thank you for all the comments.  It's so nice to be missed.   Someone got it right I think when they said they knew why I've neglected my blog.........my addiction to FACEBOOK.  haaaaaaaaaa   I think they hit the nail on the head. At least for the last 8 months.   I can't stay away from it.  But I promise I'm going to pay more attention here and not there.  Let's see if I can wean myself off that one.   I don't do good with addictions. Good thing I don't do drugs.  You'd see me on TV in rehab.   But wait!!! Then maybe I could have my own reality show.  Hmmmmmmmm  

How about some cooking?   This is a recipe I've been making for years. We love it. Might I add it is not one if your watching your calories.  Or your waist line. Because if you eat this get ready for the stretchy pants.   Oh and it's all about the utensils here.  They must be red or the dish does not turn out right. I'm just sayin!!!  

Now I make my own Hidden Valley Ranch dressing for recipes.  You can get this gigantic bottle of the powder at Costco and maybe Sam's club.  Then you add your own milk and mayonnaise.  It is so much better than those ready made bottles. ICK!!!  For this recipe please don't use that stuff.  Then you'll be out there in blogland saying, "that Sharon over at RGC gave us this nasty icky recipe for some ranch chicken".    Don't want that now do we???   So go get yourself some of that good stuff.  It doesn't take that long to make.

Here's our recipe we're making.   See the 1 cup PREPARED Ranch Dressing? It does not say BOTTLED Ranch dressing.  

Here we go. First I make my own Ranch.Because it has to set for about 30 min.  First you add your Ranch powder mix in the bowl.  I need 1 cup for this recipe and it gives directions for just that amount. 

Next you add the milk.....

Now the mayonnaise....... Mix all that together and set in the fridge for about a half hour and you've got Ranch dressing. 

Now let's use some margarine.  Yes you can use butter if your pants are going to be really stretchy!!!!   

The recipe says to pound the chicken pieces then cook then in the butter. Let me tell you I never pound them because I hate when those little chicken pieces fly up and hit me in the face.  I just toss there happy selfs right in that pan.  Tastes just the same.  I've done it both ways.  Knocked out that pounding step.  Unless I really have built up anger the day I make this.   Then I POUND the hell out of it.  

We use thighs, you can use breasts.  My man is a thigh kinda buy. Oh yes of course he loves him a good breast too but in his chicken he prefers the thigh.   wink wink

Next take your chicken out of the pan after it's fully cooked but don't overcook. Then we have dry chicken.  Not good.   Scrape all the goodness from the bottom of the pan and your going to add the wine.  Keep stirring the wine into the butter and keep scraping.  Put your face down close to the pan and you'll get a wine facial.  Ahhhhhh   nothing better to cleanse those pours.  Ok you can also drink the wine  while your cooking this  but save a little for the dish.  

It says dry wine.  If I have a bottle of White Zin in the fridge I use that if I have Reisling, I use that.  It's whatever I'm drinking at the moment. And hopefully I've left enough in the bottle to add to the recipe.  If not,  oh shoot, I'll have to pop open another bottle of bubbly.   I hate when that happens.   NOT!!!

Ok you can clearly see I drank too much wine while making this dish because I forgot to take a picture of me adding the Dijon mustard, and the Ranch dressing that I made.  Before you add the chicken back in you mix those two things together with the butter and wine in the skillet.  It makes a sort of heavenly gravy that you want to jump right in.  Now put the chicken into that and reheat the chicken.  

I'm telling you, STRETCH pants is what you need now.   This is to die for.  You are going to love it.   You can really taste the Dijon mustard and Ranch Dressing in this. 

We serve is over angel hair pasta.   And while your at it go ahead and slather a piece of good bread with some butter. What the hell you've already went over your calorie intake for the week.  Might as well enjoy some bread too.  

Bon appetito!!!   

Let me know if you try this what you think. It's one of our favorites.  

More Market Monday

So let's see where did we leave off....

Oh yes, The sweet Darlene Zimmerman.  Love her things.  And her Clothesline Club.  Isn't that little quilt cute?

See that basket in front of the quilt? Those red boxes? Everyone who came to her Schoolhouse got one of those and it had little charm packs of the four different lines of fabric from Robert Kaufman.  Soooooo cute.  What a great gift.  Darlene even signed mine and Nancy.  We had to ask you know we did.  :-)  We couldn't help ourself we were right there in the front row. 

Love this one too. Oh heck I love them all.  Can't go wrong with the 30's can you?

We left Schoolhouse early to go get in line for Sample Spree.  I guess we ditched school you could say.  But it was for something more fun.Isn't that why you usually cut school???  And look who found us.  Cara!!  That girls is crazy!  Oh sure she's saying the same about us but I said it first!!  lolol  We had so much fun with her.  We spent way tooooo much time together.  I'm just sayin.  

Here are some of the women crammed around the tables. Im sure this might be a Moda table.That's where you can seriously get injured.  I know this because I have been.  I have war wounds I'm telling you. 

This is what it is.  A BLUR!!!! 

Hey,  I know her and this is not the place to stop and talk on the phone lady. You WILL get run over!!  

Nancy trying to buy something from Lynette's booth at Sample Spree. Nancy's the short one.  No I'm not jealous why do you ask???  :-)

Ok we had enough shopping for one day and decided to take a Margarita break.  Man oh man do they know how to make some happy uh strong Margaritas in Texas.  WHOA BABY!  And yes I'll have three. Why not?

Or as it four?????   I lost count after that first one.

And I doubt she's going to be of any help to us.  

After some much needed sleep we were raring to go again the next morning.  Look who we found. That cutie Rosalie Quinlan. She is adorable and don't you love her smile??  I could squeeze her but I didn't want to embarrass myself.  

Loved everything in her booth.  I now have several of her patterns on my website.  

Here we were in Lynette Andersons booth. Loved everything here too. Even her hubby.  What a charmer he was.  He had Nancy and I laughing!!  

Loved this. Pattern is on the website.

Lynnette's newest book. Gathering of Crows is wonderful. So many great projects in this.  And yep you guessed it, it's on the website. 

Awwwww  cute.  Seriously Lynette is the nicest person.  She's another one we could listen to talk all day long.  But we didn't want to wear out our welcome in her booth. We would be tagged as stalkers I'm afraid. 

That's your Market update for today. More soon.

Your job for tomorrow is to go wish Miss No Blog Nancy and Miss Ginger Patches Tammy a very happy 50th birthday!!!!  Welcome to my club girlfriends!!! You look great!!!!  Happy Happy Birthday.  I love you both very much!!!!!

 

Mystery lunch date and a party!!!

We got up early this morning, like 5a.m. early.  We're dumping our Ca. King size mattress because it's seen better days.   So we had to beat the trash guy to the curb.  Of course tonight that means it's air mattress heaven for us.  But who cares I say.  I'd sleep on the concrete if I have to.  Ok maybe not.  Let's not get crazy here.

First off I want to let you know who my mystery date was for lunch last week.  I have to say only a very few of you got it right.  It was Miss Cozy Cottage herself.  Kris.  And by the way do I look like I I've not slept in weeks?? Oh wait I haven't!!  Thanks for the nice lunch Kris, I'm gonna miss you.  And your shop. But as long as you'll ship to me, I'm good to go.  Now to pick a winner.  I need everyone's help here.  I'm wanting you to pick a number. 1, 2, 3, 4or 5?  Now the numbers do not match up with the order of their guess.  I wrote their names down with a number on each.  So can you give me a winning number??? 

 

Last Friday I had hunka's retirement party. He was so surprised. Talk about being a nervous wreck until I got him there.  Oh lordy,  I'm thinking how can I ask him to go to lunch at El Torito? I mean we go for dinner alot but margaritas for lunch? Well you better bet he said yes fast!  When he walked around the corner and saw all his friends, he cried.  He was one happy man.  And the best part is he has a customer who had offered to help me invite everyone.  Then he PAID for the whole thing.  Not to mention have hunka a $500 dollar gift card to Home Depot.  WOW!!!  Talk about doing something nice. 

Doesn't he looked surprised?? I think the little hostess gal was more nervous than me if that's possible.

 

This guy was hunka's boss for years then he retired and hunka took over his job. John said you know your getting old when the guy you hired and trained is now retiring.

 

 

I went to my favorite local bakery, the one I always show you photos from .   I gave them a magnet with the company logo and they recreated it into the cake. They did an awesome job, even the color was exact. And you know that white cake with the caramel mousse inside was HEAVENLY!!!!

 

Brian is the guy on the left and that's his wife. He's the one who paid for hunka's party. And the other guy worked with hunka for years too until he retired.

 

Here's the happy retired guy.  Well almost retired. Look at that smile. 

 

The three middle guys work for hunka.  There gonna miss him. And I know he'll miss them too.  Just not the job.

 

Of course we moved the party on to the bar.  When your at El Torito you just gotta.

 

Thank you for all of your nice comments. You all are just the best.  When I read your nice comments it makes my day a better one.  And I need some good days lately. It's nice to have something to look forward too and I do look forward to all of your comments. Today we got notice that once again we are pushed back in our closing date.  If they keep going we will be into June.  Or 2010.  At least the packers came today and conquered the kitchen and family room. We luckily still have a tv to watch and internet for now.  In a couple days that will be gone. No eating in the kitchen, we can barely walk in there.  Photos tomorrow. 

Get your PJ's on!! There's a party at the Cottage.

Did ya hear??   There was a pajama party at the Cottage last Friday. Of course we didn't announce it before hand this time so you know who wouldn't EGG OUR CARS!!!    We had so much fun as usual.  I wanted to host our annual get together before...............I leave.  I have to say that quietly because two gals I know do not like to hear me say that. Did I tell you we had so much fun?? Well we did.   We ate until we couldn't eat anymore, and we sewed until we couldn't sew anymore, and we laughed..................well we can always laugh some more.

I see three tini's and one person. And she's smiling a big old smile!!!   I'm thinking she likes Pomegranate Martini's.  Did you know you can buy these already mixed with the "good stuff"? 

 

Say CHEESE!!!!!

 

I think we're ready to open up gifties!!!  WOOHOOOO 

 

Look what Deb made for us.  Can you see the sad face? She said it's because I am leaving them.  Sure make me feel bad. 

 

I think there happy with all the loot we got.  Looks like a birthday party doesn't it?

 

Looks like a party exploded.  A good party.

 

I'm not even sure what she is doing!!!!  All I can tell you is that she did drink those THREE tini's.  

 

This is one of the nice gifts Nancy gave us.  A Longaberger basket with a little jewelry pouch inside.  We just loved it!!  We oohed and ahhhed alot over this one.  Very very cute.

 

This is my table O gifts.  All from Nancy and Debbie.

 

How about a close-up???  I love that black polka dot card holder from Miss No Blog, the framed photo from Debbie,  the tea necklace from Deb, the key chain, and on and on and on.

 

There's my sad bunny.   I mean that in a good way of course.  And love the chicken tea light holder,  and Nancy gave us the green project boxes.   Very cool.Now they come in colors I guess.

 

LOVE LOVE LOVE the pink thread caddy that No Blog gave us.  It's the neatest thing.  And there's my cute little Longaberger basket too.  You did good Nancy!!!  

We had all these big plans for crafts on Friday night but after tini's and eating, we decided to blow up our beds and hang out in our jammies. 

Not sure what Miss Madeline was doing to my bed. Maybe she is mad that she wasn't invited to the party.

 

Here's the Princess in her bed. She didn't bring the dust ruffle. It just wasn't the same.

 

We were enjoying the Strawberry Shortcake that Nancy brought.  YUMMY!!!

 

GOT MILK??

 

More photos to come.   It was really a great time.  I'm gonna miss my girlie's!!!  I can see a lot of flat rate boxes going back and forth between us three. 

While we were pajama partying, Boo was off volunteering at an Alzheimer's event in Indiana in honor of his late Grandma.  He did this last year right after she passed away.  And again this year. Well this year Grandma was looking down over him and I think she sent a little miss his way........................

Miss Indiana to be exact!   He lunched with her and then found out......she's ENGAGED!!!!   I'm hoping there is still time to sway her over to his side.  Wouldn't she make the cutest grandkids??  I'm just.........sayin!!!!!!!!!  Do you see those dimples??

 

Off to dream of my new grandkids................................

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPRINKLE POOH!!!

Today is Miss Sprinkles birthday.  Sure we celebrated the other day but I'm sure she's celebrating again today. A girls gotta carry out the festivities for the month doesn't she?  We just helped her get the party started.  It's up to her to carry it on!!

Awww look how happy she is. Or is she drunk?? Either way she's happy!! Right?? I'm just sayin.

Here's the three Sistas once again.  Same place, same theme....PARTYING!!!  What we do best!!  And looky there we all wore our St. Paddy's green too. We were knocking out two holidays in one meal. St. Patrick's Day and Sprinkles birthday.  Nancy and I shopped at the same place for our green sweaters too by the way. lolol 

 

Nancy and I had Pomegranate martinis and Deb had some something pear flavored.  Maybe a mojito?? Was that it Deb?? Anyhoo it tasted smashing!! 

 

OMG!!!!  Does she look surprised or what??   Her glass is empty sooooo she could be just zoning......  But........you have to take a peek at the lady behind Deb.  This gal was having a bad day. She did not like the camera taking stuff going on at our table. 

 

LMAO!!!!!  Can you see that gal behind Deb???    We're getting the "look" again.

 

Deb didn't want a cake because of that strict diet she's on but we had to have a little sum sum for her.  Is she dozing there or have we lost her for the night??    Hellooo Deb, blow!!!  Candle,  cake, hellooooo!!!!

 

Look Nancy is singing............I think.  Shhhh keep it down our booth mates over there are gonna be a wee little bit upset with you. 

 

Well of course we had dessert too.  Our diets are very strict as well. You heard me right, strict diets.

Awww look at the cupcake plate.   Sorry no cake on that plate because again  she is on a strict diet.  Well not so strict.  Oh and looky there Deb has a new booth partner there behind her.    This gal was not happy.  Even the poor waitress even said this gal was being nasty to her. 

 

Here's the birthday girl showing her gifts.  She has loved this bag forever as it hangs in my sewing room.  I had to give it up as much as I love it.   I'd give anything to my Sistas and they know it.  Enjoy!

 

Remember this quilt I made and did kits for?? It was for Deb's birthday but I couldn't say.  I think she liked it. Or she's about to break out into "Let me entertain you"  !!  Then you know what happens next?? 

 

Now here's the slice O cake we should have all had.  Nancy and I went together and started a Pandora bracelet for Deb. We got her a few charms and the bracelet.  Now guess what she'll be getting from us for holidays?

 

Go on over and wish my sista a happy day would ya!!!!!

I got this in my fortune cookie and the end of our meal, but being the kind of friend I am I gifted it to the birthday girl.  Because let's be real here girls, I DID NOT want a pleasant surprise that night if you get my drift.  Oh and I think you do.   And I'm not asking how it worked out for Deb.  No I am not!!!   But if I know that hubby of hers..................I'm just sayin. 

 

We love you Deb.  And Nancy and I hope we made your day a special one. 

While we're on the subject of birthdays, I'd like to say thank you for all the nice "happy birthdays" for Jack my father in law.  We went to AZ and celebrated with him.  He just recently moved into a group home and left his apartment.  He is very happy in his new place as this is where my mother in law was last year. He knows the care takers and really likes them. 

 

One last thing today.  My friend Anne is trying to do some housecleaning and has several bundles of fabric for sale.  Good prices too I might add. So if your in need of a deal run on over and grab yourself some.  She'll be happy and so will you.  Now go!!!

What a great dinner it was.

Me and the Sistas met at my house then headed out for a great dinner at P.F. Chang. My new favorite place.  We had the best time.  It's been way toooo long since we all three were able to get together.  Of course there was lots of gift exchanging going on as usual.  Cause that's how we roll!!!!!   Kris I said that for you.

Awww look at them all cozy together. 

 

Excuse me Nancy but I think that might be my gift your about to rip into. She gave it to me then she took it away.   I'm just sayin................could have been due to that lemon drop martini she sucked down. 

 

All the employees kept coming up to us asking if they could take a photo of us.  WELL DUH!!!!!!!!!!  Stupid question.    Do we look like we're ready for a close up?????  Ummm yea!!!

 

Can you stand it??????Don't be jealous now.  Nancy bestowed upon us these wonderful new Foster Grants.   Alright she probably picked them up at the 99 cent store but we can dream cant we???   And do tell.............we look pretty damn good!!!  OH check out our cute little bags Nancy made us.  WE LOVE THEM!!

 

Ok so we hadn't even finished our martini's yet.  HONEST.  Poor Nancy we are squishing her!!!  Bet she wishes she would have brought her Foster Grants too.

 

I felt sorry for Nancy so I let her borrow my Fosters and check out her Annie that Deb gave her. We both got one. LOVE IT!!!  The manage asked us what we were celebrating and we said VALENTINE'S DAY!!!    We told her we'd be back in June to celebrate Easter. Because again.........that's how we roll ...................KRIS..

 

Hot N Sour or was it Spicy? soup anyone?? It was so freakin  HOT my nose was running.  But good.

 

Ill show our desserts on LOSER Monday. 

And here's my little Annie that Deb gave me.  Don't ya just love her?? 

 

I've got to take photos of my loot from Nancy and I'll show it tomorrow.  Or on my Mon. post.  WE got some great stuff I tell ya!!!!!  WE were already talking about what we're doing for Easter.  Thank goodness for all those holidays!!   Cause we are three celebrating fools. 

I had a great time girlies!!!!  Let's not wait so long till next time. 

And now for the dinner.............

Sorry I was MIA for the past few days.  I know all of you were waiting on pins and needles for the rest of the story.  But hubby took me to Vegas baby!!!! And you know what they say about Vegas?? LOL!!!  Well that's another whole blogging subject.  Especially cause FIL met us there. OMG you'll wanna hear all about this too.  But back to the birthday party.

The girls took me to TAPS.  It's what you would call a Micro Brewery I guess.  They brew there own beer. But we went for the Martinis.  We had apple, lemon, and watermelon ones.  OMG were they ever good. 

Looks like Beth was the first one with the menu.  And I think she's second guessing the place.  She's checking out the prices on that menu.  LOL  Too late I'm already seated and I'm HUNGRY!!!! Not to mention THIRSTY!!!

Wer'e all here and ready for some drinkies. Here's me and Sprinkles.

And here's No Blog and Beth.

Now how about some martinis girls? Round 1 ding,ding,ding Our waiter found us quite entertaining I think. LOL!!!

Someone is really enjoying this outting. She's got an upcoming wedding this weekend and needed a night out.  Isn't that a drink pretty? Uh I mean pretty drink.  It's a watermelon martini.

CHEERS to my Sappy Sistas!!!!

Deb had watermelon, I had apple, No Blog had Lemon and Beth had apple.  Here's to great friends!!!!

Round #2 DING,DING,DING

Let's see, it looks like we all got Watermelon..  Can you see Nancy's eyes? There starting to go. 

UH OH!!!!  We need the Tide stain stick for this one. Can't take No Blog anywhere!!!  I don't know but I'm thinking she's liking this. 

 

And this one  could have had something to do with this I'm not sure.  I'll tell you what she DID do.  We all ordered watermelon martinis and you get this shot of watermelon schnappes to dump in there. Well someone, dumped TWO in her drink.  Can you tell who did it????  I was looking all over the table cause my drink wasnt as pretty as theres and I said HEY did you drink MINE??? 

And you tell me?? Do you think she did??  ROFLOL!!!!

IS there any food with this meal?? Or are we drinking it?

Oh here he is.  Man oh man was it ever good.  First we started with Artichoke dip which was heavenly and it had NO ONIONS.Then he brought out our entrees. 

I had fish & chips,

Nancy and Beth both I think had the Mahi and Bok Choy!!! 

Deb had the Prime Rib. And can you check out that mac & cheese?? OMG was that ever good. I could go back there and just order that.  And yes she shared that with us.

Then there was the birthday dessert.  Can you guess what we thought it looked like?? Of course we did have all those martinis.

Ok, heres a close up of them, uh I mean it.

She better scoot back on over to her side.

More tomorrow. Outta room again.  You can thank our buddies at Typepad for that one.  I used to be able to go and on and on.  So to be continued................ And I'll tell you who won the giveaway from a few days ago too.