Monday, July 25, 2011

Easy Homemade Ice cream Video (Kids version)


I found this simple way to make homemade ice cream on video- simple- but easier to understand while watching it being prepared as opposed to reading the instructions.

You don't even need an ice cream freezer, and kids can easily prepare this one themselves.

I think this would be a great idea for a kid's party (let each child make their own flavor), or something fun to do with the kids on a sweltering hot summer day (such as EVERY DAY here lately in southern Illinois!)

CLICK HERE to watch the short video and cool off!

Enjoy your summer.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

An Organized Kitchen....HELP!


An organized kitchen once seemed but an elusive dream for me-- I have been called many things in my life, but "organized" has never been used to describe me.

Recently I had a kitchen fire, and after two months of kitchen renovations, I am finally beginning to see the light at the end of the Tuscan Tunnel (I am getting the Tuscan dream kitchen I've been dreaming of for many years!).

Since the kitchen is looking so very dreamy, I thought this would be a good time to get it organized properly. And maybe, just MAYBE, I will be inspired from my Italian roots to keep this gorgeous kitchen in proper working order. (Well, a girl can dream, anyway.)

Unless you are a creative, unorganized girl like me, you wouldn't understand how difficult the concept is. To even begin seems overwhelming, so I began my cyber hunt to give get me started.

If you are like me, I think I've found a wonderful starting part. A simple "how-to" that broke it all down for me and made sense of what is otherwise a mystery to me.

If you are one who is already very organized in the kitchen, go ahead and click on the link, then come back and add any of your favorite kitchen organization tips.

In a couple of weeks, I will post the before, during and after photos of the renovation. I think you'll like what you see, and hopefully it will inspire some dreaming for all of you.

So go ahead-- read the tips here, and add your own if you can.

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. This book looks pretty good, too.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Italian Chicken Kabobs ( a repost)




I created this deliciously simple recipe using many of my favorite ingredients that I always have on hand. It was wonderful, and was devoured within minutes of calling my men to the table!

You would have thought my Irishmen were full blooded Italians!

You will need:

Chicken strips- cut into bite size pieces
red bell pepper
green bell pepper
small zucchini
I pkg. Italian seasoning mix
Bottle of Italian dressing (I used East Main Market's Creamy Italian)
(Reserve some for basting)


Sprinkle Italian seasoning on chicken and place in glass dish. Cover with Italian dressing. Marinate for at least one hour.

Cut vegetables into bite size pieces. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, then cover in dressing, marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Alternate chicken, and vegetables on skewers and grill over med. heat for about 5 minutes on each side, or until chicken is no longer pink. Brush with remaining dressing and let cook for a few more minutes.

Serve with Roasted Garlic Alfredo Rissoto (or your favorite Italian rice recipe).
Garlic bread and an Italian salad are the perfect side dishes to this super easy meal.