The Rickett Chronicles

Monday, January 10, 2011

Project Idea: Rolled Felt Headband

This simple yet cute headband is from the blog Not So Homemade. She has a complete tutorial on how to make it. This would be great for my little girls.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Project Idea: Chrysants Silk Brooch

ADORABLE! I love this brooch by innocentia. She even has a tutorial on her blog so that even I can make it. I am obsessed with all of the flowers I see on the blogs these days.

This brooch is so cute and I think it would be great to make for grandmothers and mothers on Mother's Day.

Recipe Review: Cheddar Chicken Chowder

When I found this recipe on one of my favorite blogs, a little lovely, I knew that my family would love this. I have raised a bunch of corn eaters and let's be for real...what could be better than soup with corn in it? And of course, I was right! My family yummed this all up leaving only one bowl for leftovers the next day. I made a few changes but for the most part it followed the original recipe.

Cheddar Corn Chowder

(adapted from the recipe by a little lovely)
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Ingredients
4 sliced bacon

1 pound chicken breasts, diced

1 cup onion, diced

4 cup chicken broth

4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced

2 cans corn, drained

1/2 cup AP flour

2 cups milk

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Cook bacon in dutch oven until crisp. Remove bacon from pot, crumble and set aside. Add chicken and onion to drippings in pot; saute 5 minutes. Add broth and potato; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until potato is tender. Add corn. Place flour in a bowl. Add milk to flour and whisk until blended. Add to soup. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium heat and simmer 15 minutes or until thick, stirring frequently. Stir in cheddar cheese, salt, pepper and crumbled bacon.

Linked To:

* Mommy's Kitchen: Potluck Sunday

* 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven: Homemaker Monday

* Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

* At the Well: Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

* It's a Blog Party: Fall Fest 2011
* Life as Mom: Ultimate Recipe Swap

Menu Plan for the week of January 9, 2011

I have been a slacker when it comes to menu planning. Well, actually, we had meal plans for the two weeks that my sister and her family were here for the holidays. We actually stuck to them and had more time for visiting because we didn't have to worry about what to make that would feed an army.

So, I know that menu planning works but sometimes I am a bit lazy and don't want to take the time. When I am scrambling trying to figure out what to make for dinner and it is 6PM, my kids are starving and I kick myself for not taking the 10 or 15 minutes just to get a plan together. I don't make new resolutions every new year but it is my goal to plan meals each week. So here we go....

Meal 1

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

Crusty French Bread

Meal 2

BLT's

Soup

Meal 3

Bean Pot Soup

Cornbread

Meal 4

Taco Soup

Cornbread

Meal 5

Grilled Chicken Tenderloins

Green Beans

Salad

Biscuits

Meal 6

Cheesy Chicken and Corn Casserole

Salad

Biscuits

Meal 7

Leftovers

Linked To:

* I Heart Time Naptime w/Chocolate Sundaes: Sunday Scoop

Friday, January 7, 2011

Project Idea: Cupcake Stand

Photo by Skip to My Lou

Have you been looking for the perfect cupcake stand like me? I was so excited when I saw this project from Skip to My Lou. The possibilities are endless. I can totally see a themed party with custom cupcake stands on the table.

I can't wait to give this project a try!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Holiday Projects: Heart Breaker Valentines

Photo by Made

How cute is this? They are paper hearts filled with candy. I found this via one of my favorite blogs, Avoiding the Laundry. This cute idea is from Made. You must go check it out and get the directions. I think my girls and I will be making these for their classmates. It is an easy project and I know they will have fun making them.

Recipe: Grandma Lewis' Chocolate Pie

This pie recipe comes from my grandmother, Nadine Lewis. How awesome is that name...Nadine? When I started having babies, I wanted to use her name for one of my girls. But, because my sister is named after her, I thought I would let her have a chance to use it. Well guess what? She had all boys and I am done having babies. What a shame! I was robbed of that beautiful name and I blame it all on my sister. I am still in therapy about it...lol!

Grandma was my dad's mom and she was one of the best bakers. I remember at Christmas she would bake like mad and we would have the most fabulous yummy goodness there was. She made very traditional goodies like divinity, date nut loaves, rum balls and persimmon cakes. This list goes on and on. However, this pie was her most requested dessert. My dad would request it from her whenever he could. This is not a typical chocolate pie. It has the taste of hot chocolate and is so delightful. I have not made this pie in years because I lost my recipe but just recently found it. Believe me, that will not happen again. It is going in my recipe book never to be lost again. I have made two of these pies since Thanksgiving. Not all of my family likes meringue, so for Christmas I left it off and it was just as good.

I hope you enjoy this pie as much as our family does!

Grandma Lewis' Chocolate Pie

(recipe by Wende Rickett/The Rickett Chronicles)

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Ingredients

1 stick butter

2 cups sugar

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs, separated

3 tbsp cocoa

1/2 cup flour

2 cups milk

1 baked pie shell

Directions

Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add sugar and mix well. Stir in vanilla and egg yolks. Add cocoa and flour; stirring well until combined. Add milk whisking until there are no lumps. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thick (pudding consistency). Pour into baked pie shell. Refrigerate overnight. Top with meringue if desired.

Meringue

Ingredients

3 egg whites

1/2 tsp cream of tartar

1/4 cup sugar

Directions

In a very clean mixing bowl, add egg whites and cream of tartar. Turn on mixer and sprinkle in sugar while beating. Beat until eggs whites are stiff and can hold a peak. Spread meringue over pie making sure to cover the edges to seal the pie filling. If you want a baked meringue, put in under the broiler for a few minutes making sure you keep an eye on it until it reaches the desired golden brown color.

Linked To:

* Around My Family Table: Thursday Carnival

* Prairie Story: Recipe Swap Thursday

* Simply Sweet Home: Friday Favorites

* Designs by Gollum: Foodie Friday

* A Little Lovely: Saturday Soiree

* LambAround: Not Baad Sundays

* Something Swanky: Sweet Treats Thursday

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Must Try Tuesday: January 4, 2011

It has been crazy the past few days. Today was our first day back to school and back to routines. We also started basketball practice tonight. I am still trying to recover from our holiday. We had an awesome time with my sister and her family. It was busy and full of fun! I missed last week's Must Try Tuesday, but here are some really awesome looking recipes that I have come across over the past two weeks.

I hope that you are all recovering well from the holidays and are enjoying the start of the new year!

Enjoy!

Beef Taquitos

Favorite Family Recipes

Photo by Favorite Family Recipes

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Knock You Naked Brownies

Mommy's Kitchen

Photo by Mommy's Kitchen

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Scalloped Butternut Squash

Lori's Lipsmaking Goodness

Photo by Lori's Lipsmacking Goodness

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Honey Lime Enchiladas

Mandy's Recipe Box

Photo by Mandy's Recipe Box

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Saturday, January 1, 2011

Countdown to 2011: Desserts

Okay, so I am a day late in this post but I wanted to share some of the desserts I made over the past year. I am joining Finding Joy in My Kitchen's countdown.

Here is some of the delightful goodness we enjoyed!

Bread Pudding