Snack tip!

Just like when you were 5, celery and peanut butter is still awesome.  Especially at 2am!  Crunchy, a little salty, and sweet all at the same time.  And, you can even add your favorite ants to it...

Laundry tip!

Shower curtain rings are perfect for hanging tacky spandex clothing items on.

How many meals CAN you get out of one turkey?

My mom was my very first cooking inspiration.  Like most little girls, as soon as I was old enough to stir, I loved helping her in the kitchen.  She taught me so much of what I know about cooking and keeping a home.  One of her biggest lessons in the kitchen is to use every part of the food.  Nothing went to waste in our house.  We never threw out food.  I hated this as a kid, because what kid actually likes leftovers?  But now that I have my own home, I get a huge kick out of how many meals I can get out all the leftovers.  Thanksgiving dinner is the perfect example of this!  So, since I cooked Thanksgiving this year for my parents, I decided to find out how many meals you can out of one turkey.  And I'm shocked!

Meal 1:
Thanksgiving
-served 4 people

Meal 2:
Thanksgiving Sandwiches for lunch the next day
-served 4 people

Meal 3:
 Second Thanksgiving- just basic leftovers
-served 2 people

Meal 4:
Turkey, vegetable, and mash potato soup
-served 2 people (with 4 servings put into the freezer for when we aren't sick of turkey)

*This is where I really feel like I'm using the whole bird.  I boil down the turkey carcass and make stock first.  I make sure to get all the meat off the bones after boiling and put it in the soup, and save some meat for future sandwiches.  After I make the stock, I add whatever vegetables I have in the fridge, carrots, onion, celery, corn, mashed potatoes, and I even made a mistake that turned out great...I accidentally added pumpkin pie goo thinking it was leftover gravy!  I thought that I was going to ruin the soup, but instead, it added a nice hint of pumpkin and nutmeg to a basic turkey vegetable soup.*

Meal 5: Pre-work Turkey sandwiches
-served 2 people

So far...I've gotten 18 meals out of ONE turkey!  And I might even have a couple more in there somewhere.  So, all I have to say, is Thanks Mom for teaching me how to use everything!

Breakfast is the heartbeat of the house...and the Deviled Eggs that started it all.

This morning as my coffee spaz began to set in, I started what is my favorite new ritual with The Husband, breakfast.  Making breakfast every morning has been one the best things that has happened to our home in a very long time.  It just makes life better.  And it's not the same unless we eat together at home.  I don't always feel like cooking, once I start, I can't stop.  The rest of the day is always so much more productive.  And it keeps The Man happy and less grumpy while he goes out into the world of day creatures.

This morning I did just that, cooked breakfast.  I turned on the radio and threw about 8 eggs in a pot of boiling water.  At first I just thought that I would make hardboiled eggs, but when I remembered that there was still HOMEMADE MAYO in the fridge...I couldn't let it go to waste!  I had to see what deviled eggs tasted like with my newest food discovery/achievement.  And they were the best deviled eggs I had ever had.  Every bit as good as the ones I had at Henry Public last week (which are incredible!) So, here 'ya go.... my first recipe:

Deviled Eggs, Stipper Style:

8 farm eggs
1 minced shallot
4 tablespoons homemade mayonaise
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
dash of salt
paprika for sprinkling over top

Place eggs in a pot of cold water enough to cover all eggs.  Bring water to a boil, reduce heat and allow to boil for 10 minutes.  After 10 minutes remove from heat and place in ice water to stop cooking process.  Peel all eggs.  Cut egg in half long ways.  Remove yolk and place all yolks in a bowl.  Place whites of egg on a plate.  To the egg yolks add shallots, mayo, mustard, vinegar, and salt.  Mush together with a fork, and taste to make sure flavors are balanced.  If too dry add mayo etc.  Spread yolks on egg whites, sprinkle with paprika.  EAT!!!