Make It Yourself - Strawberry Lemonade!

When life gives you lemons....make homemade strawberry lemonade!

This summer's roller coaster called life includes some pretty great blessings, too.  Our granddaughters are staying with us for several weeks and today this sweetie helped make the day even better by creating this video:

Strawberry Lemonade

We had a hilarious time with all the bloopers and she is the one I have always called, "Bubbly" - as you can see she truly has an effervescent personality!

Main Dish Monday! Easy Chicken Parmesan Casserole

It’s Main Dish Monday! 

This week’s Monday night family dinner recipe comes from Marah.  This is her recipe for easy chicken parmesan casserole and our whole family loves this!  It is quite simple to create on the busiest of nights and even our little friend who is only seven years old was able to create it herself!  Add some spinach or fresh salad and enjoy your time around the table with your family!

Awesome Little Friend We Love

Made With Love by His Girl

Link to recipe:  Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Link to video:  Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Shopping List:

Whole chicken breast

Jarred spaghetti sauce

Mozzarella cheese

Parmesan cheese

Garlic croutons

Red pepper flakes

Somewhere between....

So, somewhere between Peachy Keen and Main Dish Monday - Fried Chicken, a PET scan took place, a doctor's appointment took place, and bad news was received.  And, well, that has left us somewhere between.

Somewhere between -

"What do we do now?" 

and

An oncologist's "perfect plan".

Somewhere between -

The five year guarantee 

and 

Only two years in to that warranty.

Somewhere between -

"Oh, shit."

and

"God, help."

Somewhere between -

"Don't tell the kids."

and

We need their prayers.

Somewhere between -

I am so angry, this isn't fair!

and 

"If today was your last day." 

Somewhere between -

You're doing it wrong; where's your grace and dignity?

and 

Does anybody understand the fear?

Somewhere between -

Can't do this again.

and

What's the first step?

Held

Tuesday morning we will go for the super-duper Tesla3 MRI.  Wednesday morning we pick up our granddaughters and will spend the next five weeks with house guests.   I just don't know.  

Psalm of the Brokenhearted -

Main Dish Monday! Fried Chicken

It’s Main Dish Monday!  

This week’s Monday night family dinner recipe comes from Michelle.  This is her recipe for breaded fried chicken when there is nothing left in the house to make!  Since this chicken is heavily breaded a light salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil is all that is needed to feel satisfied!  Remember that life is short– enjoy your time around the table with your family!

Link to recipe:  This would be great along with!
Link to video:  Join us!!

I always use my trusty iron skillet and
this time I fried in olive oil on medium heat.

Shopping List:
Whole chicken breast
Sour cream
Panko bread crumbs
Onion powder, cayenne, smoked paprika, dry mustard, salt and pepper

And look how medium heat caused a crispy,
yummy, crunchy coating!

Peachy Keen - It Tastes Like Summer!

So we saw a Facebook post about fresh Georgia peaches being sold from The Peach Truck  all over the Dayton, Ohio area; and well, we just had to get some!

We piled kids, Lucy (Marah's black lab), and ourselves into the Fantastic Ford (for the fun, people, for the fun - the kids love to ride in the back and when Granny burns some rubber!) and headed 30 miles to the other side of Dayton.

18 year old Ford Taurus Wagon....they love it!

I would like to confess that it took me ten years to make pie crust that was any good.  I always ended up with hard as a cracker pie crust and there were several reasons why.  Pie crust is a tricky business.  You have to keep the fat (we always use real butter) very cold, you have to use ice water, and you must LIFT the dough, never mashing it; finally, you must keep the fat cold until it is absolutely ready to go into the oven.  All these instructions eluded me, however, the Finnish sisu (national "never give up" characteristic) part of me never quit trying!  One day I got it all right and since then my pie crust is pretty darn good....unless I burn it; which happens and I'd like to say rarely but I should be honest so - it happens!

Mix flour, salt, sugar - then cut in butter and add ice water.

I do use a fork for the lifting but then I dig in.
Is that a new age spot?!

It may look like I am clawing the dough but I am lifting.

I am not squeezing the dough - still lifting and
stirring by hand.

As you see, a ball starts to form and no smooshing
was necessary!

Place newborn dough ball on a floured surface
and roll around a bit to cover lightly with flour.

Start the rolling and roll to about an inch larger
than the circumference of your pie plate.
Or is it the radius?
Bigger than your pie plate!

Turn your pie plate upside down and cut
about an inch outside of the edge.

Once your crust is feeling homey, poke lots of holes
with a fork and then begin to form the edge.
Place your finger on the edge and use your thumb and
finger from your other hand to press around it.
Just keep going!

Slice your peaches, add your sugar, flour, and spices!

Then cover with the secret recipe topping!

Bake until you have a Golden Delicious Peach Pie!

You can find this recipe under the What's On The Table tab at theclassypearl.com

Main Dish Monday! Pesto Burgers

It’s Main Dish Monday!

This week’s Monday night family dinner recipe comes from Michelle.  This is her very own recipe for pesto burgers!    We eat these as if they were steak and include some tasty potatoes fried in your trusty iron skillet   – enjoy your time around the table with your family!

Chop the garlic & basil then add the butter!
Salt & pepper your burgers...

Heat your iron skillet to med/high, fry 3-4 mins each side then
add the pesto mixture while finishing up on low!
I used coconut oil to fry the potato wedges, and yes, they were a bit crispy!
It happens!

Delicious!!!!
Served with Cabernet Sauvignon 

Recipe:
I used 2 garlic cloves and just rough chopped them with a knife.  Then I cut up about 3 tablespoons of fresh basil (Mmmm!).  After that I just mashed in about 3 tablespoons of real butter.  I lightly salted and peppered the ground beef and fried them on medium/high heat.  Once the burgers were browned on each side, I put half of the garlic/basil/butter "pesto" on top of the burgers while they finished cooking.  (Burgers are done when the juice runs clear and no blood comes out when you gently push on the center.)

Shopping List:
Ground beef
Butter - salted
Fresh Basil
Garlic
Salt and pepper

Main Dish Monday! Country Fried Steak

It’s Main Dish Monday!

This week’s Monday night family dinner recipe comes from Michelle.  This is her recipe for Country Fried Steak!    Our family loves to have this with Marah’s Best Mashed Potatoes in the World and steamed broccoli or carrots – enjoy your time around the table with your family!

Link to recipe:  What's On the Table

Link to video:  Country Fried Steak  and Marah's Best Mashed Potatoes

Shopping List:
Chopped Sirloin Steaks
Butter - salted
Flour
Quart of whole milk
Bullion - beef or packet of brown gravy mix
Salt, white pepper, nutmeg, bay leaf, herbs de Provence
Red wine