Thursday, February 28, 2013

It’s almost time for green

I am longing for a bit of green in these cold and blustery days….

Just a couple of weeks now and I will be able to get the seed starting supplies out.

Which, Lord willing, will lead to this:

Plant update 2012 | thePrairieCottage

And then hopefully this:

Mini greenhouses 2012 | the Prairie Cottage

This winter has featured snowy and gray days with way below average temps and lest I forget – it has been windy, windy, windy!!

We won’t even talk about wind chill, K?

I am SO ready to start plant those little seeds this year – a glimmer of green hope while we wait for spring to make an entrance :) 

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Saturday, February 23, 2013

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Raisin Spice Bars

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These make a LOT of bars… perfect for a hungry crew!
RAISIN SPICE BARS
1 cup raisins
1.5 cups hot water
1/2 cup butter
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg

GLAZE:
1.5 cups powdered sugar
1 tbs. melted butter
1-2 tbs. milk

Cookies:  Soak raisins in hot water to plump and soften them.  Add butter, egg and baking soda to the raisins and water.  Stir in flower, sugar and spices.  Spread batter in a greased 15 x 10 x 1 inch jelly roll pan.  Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.  Cool. 
Glaze:  Combine powdered sugar and butter.  Add enough milk to make a thin glaze.  Spread over cooled bars and let set before cutting. 
Makes about 4 dozen. 

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Saturday, February 16, 2013

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

A new command I give you:

Love one another.

As I have loved you,

so you must love one another.
John 13:34

Much love to you today - I hope your day is filled with sweetness and smiles!

 

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Saturday, February 9, 2013

Love…

 

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How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God!

1 John 3:1

Monday, February 4, 2013

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes


Yummy Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes  {the Prairie Cottage}
As always, I started with a container of precooked ground beef from the freezer, thus eliminating step 1. 
I also added slightly more than 1/4 cup steak sauce, to help it hold together a little better. 
I usually use red sweet peppers instead of green. 
And I didn’t have any mushrooms this time.
But other than that, I followed the recipe exactly!  Ha!
So… they are probably not of the true Philly Cheesesteak tradition, but they tasted delicious :)
PHILLY CHEESESTEAK SLOPPY JOES
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1/4-1/2  cup steak sauce
1 cup beef stock
1 green pepper, chopped or julienned
1 package sliced mushrooms
1/2-1 teaspoon salt - to taste
1/4/ teaspoon pepper

Provolone cheese slices 
Hamburger Buns

1.  Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  

2.  Add the onion, green pepper and mushrooms,  Cook and stir for another 3-4 minutes.  The vegetables will start to get tender.
3.  Stir in the steak sauce, beef stock, salt and pepper.  Bring to a simmer and cook about 2 minutes more.  Add additional steak sauce if it seems too “soupy.”

4.  Scoop hot sloppy Joe mixture onto hamburger buns and top with a slice of provolone cheese.

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe Recipe {the Prairie Cottage}
Enjoy!
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