Author: stlmaryland

Crockpot Pork Stew served over Mashed Potatoes

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

Yesterday was going to be my late night. My daughter joined Girl Scouts and her meetings run til 6:30 and it was easier for me to throw dinner together in the crockpot then have to make supper as soon as we got home. I am sure the husband and kids appreciated that logic — And it was COLD outside, too, so the warm stew was perfect to warm us up!

I originally was going to make a Beef Stew, but when I was looking for a package of Beef in the deep freezer, I noticed a package of the thin pork chops was punctured and decided to use that instead.

Pork Stew

Continue reading →

My Daughters outdoor “Frozen” Birthday Party in November

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

FrozenOutdoorTable

Yes, my daughter wanted a “Frozen” Birthday like every other girl this year. I was informed of this decision about 6 months ago and have been working on this “project” for a couple of months now.

I held the party outside, but of course I stressed over it for a couple of weeks because I wasn’t sure if it was going to rain or snow especially since I had no idea how I would have 30+ kids and a bunch of adults in my little house if it did rain/snow.

But the weather held up nicely at 55º up until the last hour of our party — and then it started turning cold and breezy — a literal “Frozen” Party, LOL.

I used snowflake table clothes including and couple of Arendelle themed plastic table clothes for a couple of my little tables. I also decorated with Frozen themed helium balloons on the tables.

IMG_9085

Continue reading →

Birthday Cake anyone

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

Today is my daughter’s 8th birthday and I make her cake practically every year. And this year wasn’t any different. However,  I bought a cake box at walmart so I could box it so we can take it over to CV Steak at the Carson Valley Inn for Dinner tonight! I think I did a pretty good job (for someone that doesn’t frost cakes that often) — except for writing her name not so good at that. I need to work on that one!

Frozen themed gluten free chocolate cake.

Frozen themed gluten free chocolate cake.

Frozen themed gluten free chocolate cake.

Frozen themed gluten free chocolate cake.

Gluten Free Sugar Cookies

/ stlmaryland / 1 Comment

I just made 48 snowflake Sugar Cookies. I glazed them and the kids put sugar sprinkles on them. I am tired and my feet hurt from standing. But my daughter wanted cookies for her birthday treat at school instead of cupcakes so as a mother I said OK. But these cookies are time consuming, about 2 hours at minimum.

Nevertheless, these cookies are buttery, sweet and very tender depending on the thickness you decide to make them.

Gluten Free Sugar Cookie

Gluten Free Sugar Cookie

Continue reading →

Blue Glitter Slime

/ stlmaryland / 1 Comment

I wanted to make Glitter Slime for my daughter’s party on Saturday – to give the kids some extra things to play with. And what better fun than playing with slime!  I do however recommend playing around with water/Borax ratio until you find the consistency you prefer. The more Borax you use the stiffer the slime will get.

Glitter Slime

Continue reading →

Beef Vegetable Stir fry with Rice

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

I was hungry and thought an easy meal would be to throw together a beef stir fry. I headed to the freezer pulled out a steak and quickly started throwing a marinade/sauce together for the stir fry.

Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry over Rice

Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry over Rice

Continue reading →

Flavored Simple Syrup for snow cones

/ stlmaryland / 1 Comment

So my daughter’s birthday party is coming up and we’ll be making snow cones, lots of snow cones for her Frozen themed party. Today I made some simple syrups flavored with Kool Aid for our snow cone flavors. My husband originally bought the packets for me….. and forgot a blue packet… so now I must now remember to go out tomorrow and pick up a blue Kool-Aid packet! So I have one simple syrup bottle just waiting to be flavored!

Simple Syrup Flavored with Kool Aid packets

Simple Syrup Flavored with Kool Aid packets

Continue reading →

Yeah, we went camping, again!

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment
Camping in the Wilderness

Camping in the Wilderness

So my family and I went camping.. yes I thought the last trip was our last trip for the season, but I guess it wasn’t. The weather has been nice in town and well… we couldn’t resist going camping one more time.

Continue reading →

Gluten Free Taco Salad

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

I love Taco Salad… it is one of my go to meals for my family — because it is quite quick to whip up and very simple as well.

Gluten Free Taco Salad

Gluten Free Taco Salad

Gluten Free Taco Salad

I made my own tortilla strips for this salad because I didn’t have any Tortilla Chips on hand. So I sliced up about 5 corn tortillas and then fried them up to a crisp.

Ingredients

2 ripe tomatoes, diced
1/2 pound sharp Cheddar, shredded
1 large onion, diced
1 head green leaf lettuce, washed, drained and shredded
1 pound lean ground turkey or beef, browned, crumbled and drained
Can Black Beans, drained
2 TBSP Trader Joe’s Taco Seasoning

Optional toppings

Sour Cream
Sriracha sauce
Gluten Free Tortilla Strips

Brown meat, beans and onions together with the Taco Seasoning until thoroughly cooked. Then combine everything together in a large salad bowl. Just before serving, add the taco chips, tossing to combine with other ingredients. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream drizzled with Sriracha sauce to taste and some tortilla strips.