Archive for the Category »Uncategorized «

Nov

Janet, aka Meatless Mama, is a blogger I got to know while blogging over at Family Foodies. Janet posts some fantastic vegetarian recipes over at her blog, and I am always inspired when I read her recipes.

She was kind enough to share a blog award with me – my very first – and I’m really honored she mentioned me and said such lovely things.

Here’s how it works:

This award is bestowed on to blogs that are exceedingly charming.

These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.
They are not interested in self-aggrandizement.
Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.
Please give more attention to these writers.
Deliver this award to six bloggers who must choose six more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their award.
I will pass this award to some of my bloggy friends that I find exceedingly charming…

What a FUN award. I now get to bestow it other bloggers!

TerriLynne at Pleasing to You is always honest and tender in her posts. She inspires me whether we are twittering or commenting on each other’s blogs. I admire and respect her for her desire to please God.

Mary Carver at Giving Up on Perfect is someone I can relate to in so many ways. She just posted about cereal of all things (one of my favorite things actually), has a great sense of humor – and also digs in deep and talks about the realities and foibles of motherhood. I love her for that.

Lisa at Stop and Smell the Chocolates (do I have to explain?) She has a sweet, FUN blog – and she writes about chocolate. AND She writes about TEA and tea things. See – I knew I wouldn’t have to really explain…

I can’t ever go without mentioning Sarah Mae, because Like a Warm Cup of Coffee is a blog I can’t do without! I am inspired, convicted, reassured and comforted by the posts I read there. Sarah is brutally honest about herself, which is completely charming and wonderful – and I appreciate her a lot.

And I’m going to return the favor to Janet – although she was already given the award – because she has ALWAYS been friendly and encouraging in her comments and her posts are totally tempting to this meat eating Mama! Ever since we met through Family Foodies, she has continued to comment and visit and she’s got great foodie posts, and other helpful posts (like Natural Home Remedies for Cold and Flu!

Category: Uncategorized Tags: blog award, bloggers, bloggers I love 3 Comments

Nov

Amish Friendship Starter

queenmommy

Several months ago, I go an urge to try my hand at some “starter” for baking recipes. This Amish Friendship starter was not only easy, but made some of the most delicious, moist bread! My husband’s 97 year old grandmother was beside herself over it! That bread recipe will appear tomorrow! Here is the starter recipe:

Amish Friendship Starter

1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk

In small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Let stand 10 minutes.

In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar. Slowly stir in milk and yeast mixture to avoid lumps. Cover loosely and let stand until bubbly.

This is Day 1 of the starter.

Days 2-4: Stir the starter

Day 5: Stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk.

Days 6-9: Stir the starter

Day 10: Stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk. Remove 1 cup to make your first batch of bread and give 2 cups to friends or family to get them started along with the bread recipe I’ll be posting tomorrow! Keep remaining starter in the refrigerator, or begin the 10 day process all over again.

Category: Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Oct

Coffee Friday! Thanks for Stopping By!

queenmommy

So here it is – the new location for The Queen Mommy’s Cafe! Thanks for visiting. I’ll keep it short today – but feel free to look around and find your way. All the content has been moved here – so take your time getting comfortable and enjoy the view!

If you’ve been a subscriber to the wordpress site, you can unsubscribe to the old feed (although I won’t be posting there anymore past tomorrow, so there won’t be any updates coming to you). For your NEW subscription – all you need to do is select your choice on the far right: either subscribe by email or via rss reader.

Curly has “Grandparents” Day – they’re studying the letter “G” this week – so she’ll have some company today – and I get to watch! Tomorrow is her last soccer game – and she has really picked it up and been a great Goalie, too! I think she likes the letter G…

We’ve had a busy week and a busy weekend, and believe it or not – we don’t have much on our calendar for November, so I’m taking a deep breath and thinking ahead to Thanksgiving…

Category: Uncategorized 7 Comments

Oct

Homemade Lotion Bars

queenmommy

***This week, rather than focusing on food – I’m focusing on Homemade Helpers for Around the House! Along with cooking and eating, comes laundry and cleanup! This week, I’m sharing great homemade cleaner recipes that not only do a great job, but save money, too!!!***

These are very simple to make and feel so lovely on the skin- you can make just one batch and produce several for yourself or friends and family!

1 oz grated beeswax (hobby or health food store)
1 oz solid oil (coconut, lard, etc.)
1 oz liquid oil (olive oil, almond oil, etc.)

The best method is to melt the ingredients in a double boiler method. Pour into molds (you can find them at hobby stores or even bake shops) and allow to sit for 24 hours. The bars should just pop out when completed.

*For added benefits, you can add Vitamin E oil (5-10 drops) or Essential Oil (5-10 drops) for aromatherapy and / or antibacterial properties. If you are pregnant, ALWAYS consult with your physician before using essential oils. Suggested essential oils:

lavender (antibacterial)
clary-sage
rose
lemon (antibacterial)

for a more masculine scent, try:

sage
rosemary
balsam

What a pleasant TREAT for your family and friends!!! Just be sure to keep one or two for yourself!

Category: Homemade Cleaners, Recipes, Uncategorized Tags: homemade, Recipes Leave a Comment

Oct

Chocolate Tea Bread

queenmommy

You don’t have to have any “goodies” with tea, but it’s always nice to enjoy something tasty when you have time to “Take Tea.” You can enjoy something simple and savory, or sweet and sassy. Since I have a “thing” for chocolate I love to enjoy it along with a great cup of tea. Here’s a lovely recipe for a nice little treat to offer a friend or to enjoy during a quiet afternoon tea alone.

Chocolate Tea Bread

1 3/4 cups flour

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

6 Tbsp. butter, softened

3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. sugar

2 eggs

2 tsps. vanilla extract

1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa

1 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9×5 loaf pan.

Stir to combine flour, baking powder, and soda in bowl.

In another bowl, cream butter and sugar together with electric mixer. Add eggs and butter and lightly beat until smooth. Sprinkle in cocoa and beat until smooth. Stir in flour mixture and lightly beat until flour is just incorporated. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake 1 hour or until tester comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan on rack.

Category: Recipes, Tea and Coffee, Uncategorized Tags: chocolate, tea treat Leave a Comment

Oct

Impossibly Easy Ham & Cheddar Pie

queenmommy

I am a big fan of apples. I love Fall not only for its brilliance and riotous colors, but also for the abundance of fresh apples and apple cider. If you’ve never visited an orchard and enjoyed a fresh cup of cider stop what you’re doing and drive to one RIGHT NOW!

Okay, that’s a little extreme, but the fresh taste of apples is so complementary to so many foods – and when I tried this recipe, my whole family went BANANAS Apples over it!!! The apple is not the primary ingredient, but it adds a surprisingly delicious twist to an otherwise typical breakfast dish.

Impossible Ham & Cheddar Pie

1 1/2 cups cut-up cooked ham
1 cup shredded Cheddar
4 med. green onions, minced (I use a couple dashes of dried minced onion)
1 small cooking apple, peeled, chopped
1/2 cup Bisquick (or homemade biscuit/baking mix)
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9″pie pan with non-fat cooking spray. Sprinkle ham, cheese, onions and apple in pie plate.

In medium bowl, thoroughly mix remaining ingredients until blended. Pour over ham mixture.

Bake uncovered 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

We often eat this for supper and serve it with cheese biscuits and salad.

Category: Uncategorized Tags: apples, breakfast, dinner, quick cooking 3 Comments

Oct

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

queenmommy

A dear friend of mine used to make these – and they rivaled the best muffins in any coffee shop I’ve ever visited. Moist, rich, and delicious – they are scrumptious!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

1/2 cup sliced unblanched almonds
1 2/3 cup flour (all purpose)
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 cup plain pumpkin
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup chocolate chips

Brown almonds lightly on baking sheet (350 degrees and watch for burning). Allow to cool completely.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin tins.

Thoroughly mix dry ingredients. Mix eggs, pumpkin, and butter together. Stir in chocolate chips and almonds – Pour over dry ingredients and fold with rubber spatula until moist. Bake 20-25 minutes until tops are springy.

Makes 12 regular or 48 miniature muffins.

Category: Uncategorized 2 Comments