nyonyamansor09

I am a member of a wine club and it may sound sophisticated but it really isn't...we don't discuss the wine just drink it and munch on yummy appetizers. It is once a month and really fun. Tonight is wine club and I thought I would post some of my favorite and most talked about appetizer recipes. Texas Caviar 2 cups black eyed peas, drained 1 cup white hominy 2 large tomatoes, chopped 1 large green pepper, chopped 1 bunch green onions, chopped 2-4 cloves of garlic, minced 8 oz Italian Dressing Mix all ingredients together and marinate overnight. Drain the dressing and serve with tortilla scoops. Mini Taco Cups 24 won ton wrappers 1 lb ground sirloin (or ground turkey/chicken) 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder 2/3 cup salsa, divided in half 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Press the won ton wrappers into mini-muffin cups coated with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the meat in a skillet until browned, then drain off excess liquid. Stir in cumin...

West End Cape Cod. $264,900 Check out this article from the Richmond Times Dispatch.... "The housing market in the Richmond area has turned upward, with sales outpacing the nation and state, according to reports released yesterday. The number of new and previously owned houses sold in Richmond and in Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties jumped 23 percent in the second quarter from the same period a year ago -- more than three times the state rate, according to a report by the Richmond Association of Realtors." Click here for the rest of the article. It is still a great time to buy or sell. Mortgage rates are at record lows! Source: Carol Hazard | TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

Sunday - Flank Steak, Au Gratin Potatoes , Asparagus Monday - Donna Nash Chicken (recipe below) Tuesday - Pork Chops stuffed with Stove Top, Green Beans Wednesday - Super-Simple, Super-Spicy Mongolian Beef Thursday - Wine Club When Michael and I got married, my aunts hosted a bridal shower for me and everyone brought a recipe. Donna Nash brought the below and we have called it Donna Nash Chicken every since. It is easy and delicious. 1/2 c olive oil 2 tsp lemon juice 3 tbsp soy sauce 1/3 c rice vinegar 4 scallions, chopped 4 cloves mince garlic 2 tsp crushed red pepper 1/4 tsp Tabasco 2 tbsp sugar Mix everyone in a bowl. Add 1 lb chopped chicken breast. Cook in a skillet on medium-high. Serve over 1 lb linguine.

Ada-Marie, from spark! featured my ikat chair makeover on her blog. Check it out here . Her blog is great! Enjoy!

So I blogged about quality over price here . But I needed some new summer shoes and didn't want to spend a fortune since the end of summer is looming. I found these two pairs at Ross Dress for Less yesterday. One pair was $6.49 and the other was $7.49. Not too bad and I really like them.

Over the weekend, a few couples hosted a baby shower for some friends that our expecting this September. The shower was at my house and I was in charge of decorations. Found these lanterns...2 for $1 at the Dollar Tree Painted these terracota pots pink. Grew wheat grass which took only about a week. Found the sweet pea image online (thank you google images) and created the design in Microsoft Word. Glued onto scrapbook paper from Michael's. Our couple of honor's last name starts with a P. I found these baby carriages at Dollar Tree (3 for $1) and cut white carnations to put in them. Plates & Napkins were 50% off at Party City And a good time was had by all!

Monday - Bar Grilled Cheese & French Fries Tuesday - Tomato Pie & Salad Wednesday - Fajita's Thursday - Homemade White Pizza Thank you to my friend Sara who gave me a ton of tomatoes from her Dad's garden. Can't wait to try my tomato pie!

Magic Beans is a website I just ran across with tons of baby gear...toys, strollers, furniture. You can even do a baby registry. This month they are giving away a new item every day hence the name "31 days of giveaways". Giveaways range in price but the largest is almost $1500! The schedule is top secret. Click here to check it out! Today's giveaway is a cool, modern green Bloom Alma Urban Crib & Mattress that retails for $559.98. Here are some more details... *Each day at noon, a new prize is announced, and visitors have 24 hours to enter to win (just once per day, please). *Toy Tuesdays will feature a variety of toys with options for every age and stage. *Secret Sales: Most days Magic Beans then has a secret sale on the product given away the day before, which is emailed to the giveaway entrants. *Programs runs July 1 through 31, 2010 *More than $10,000 in prizes

Back from the beach but super busy this week..... Monday - Greek Turkey Burgers Tuesday - Pizza (Out at a Committee Meeting) Wednesday - Anniversary Dinner out? Thursday - Whole Crockpot Chicken, Wild Rice, Green Beans That is as far as I got....maybe a black beans and rice dish with the leftover chicken on Friday.

I recently was inspired to redo a chair in my living room after seeing an article in Fresh Home Magazine . BEFORE AFTER DURING The whole project cost me a little over $20. I had a sample of paint mixed at Lowes for $3. They will mix a sample of any color for you. And I got the fabric for around $17 at Williams-Sherrill . They have all in-stock fabric on sale this month...20% off. I also sprayed with a clear gloss polyurethane.

My twin sisters turn 30 today! Happy Birthday Girls! No Menu Planner this week...off to the beach!

My mom and I found these at TJMaxx. Perfect for Camille's room with personalized "C" lampshades. They are an early birthday present from my mom. And yes...my soon to be three year old does have her own television. My justification is her room is more like a playroom with a bed and we don't put it on to fall asleep. The dresser would look much cuter without the television.