Scott's Firehouse BEST Baked Beans

Scott's Firehouse recipes are easy, fool-proof and FAST! There is not time to diddle-daddle with meals. They can be tasty...but they need to be practical. There is always the possibility of a "call" that can take them away from the firehouse for minutes or for hours. I figure if it works for a REAL.LIFE. FIREHOUSE...it works in the REAL.LIFE.HOME...where we may be putting our own "fires" out!


Okay...with Memorial Day right around the corner, and Summer on her way, I think a most.delicious baked bean recipe is in order. A dump and run recipe at that!

I am all for making baked beans from scratch, but I am not going to preach what I don't practice.  And this week baked beans from scratch was NOT happening!  Thank heaven's I didn't run into any friends while I was grocery shopping this weekend because I would have had a lot of explaining to do!!!  Not only was the cart filled with baked bean makings but with store-bought ice cream toppings, LOTSA candy from the bulk section, KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese, Ramen noodles, cake mixes, soda pop, frozen prepared dinner {OH.YES!} canned whipped cream...Nitrous oxide and all!, and the list goes on...but the sweet hubby...I so do not deserve...reassured me that it is okay and that we are not going to die if things are not made with nutrition in mind for a week...he also made sure that I knew his baked beans were just as good as if they were made from scratch!!  I have learned to trust him in that department, so, if you are having a week of feeling overwhelmed and have no time or energy to cook from scratch, get your trusty crockpot out and let it do your work for YOU!

Scott's Firehouse Best Baked Beans

2 cans {28oz.} BUSH'S Vegetarian Baked Beans

1 can {15oz.} Black Beans, drained

1 can {15oz.} Great Northern Beans

1 can {15oz.} Pinto Beans

1 Tablespoon liquid smoke

1/4 cup yellow mustard

1/4 cup ketchup

Directions:

*Place all ingredients into crockpot and stir a bit.

*Cook on low for at least 4 hrs. or longer!

Serve with a GREAT.BIG.SMILE!!

Happy Thursday!

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Hospitality... A Make and Take Meal

Showing hospitality by taking meals to people when they are sick, have had surgery or just need a little extra tlc when life gets overwhelming can be such a JOY! Sometimes it is easy to become so focused on our own families that it becomes difficult to think of others around us who are in need of our encouragement and help.

There have been PLENTY of times in my life when I have been taken under the wings of others and have been shown mercy. It is still a blessing thinking back to so many times others have cared for me and for my family. I can't help but to think of how it feels to be taken care of. It is one of the best feelings in the world!

When I think of hospitality, I think of the root word "hospital". So, I looked it up...just for fun. I know we are all familiar with what a hospital is, but my old 1963 edition of Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines it as follows: "a charitable institution for the needy, aged, infirm, or young, an institution where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical care."

While we are most likely not giving medical or surgical care, taking a meal to someone is comforting beyond words and it is always appreciated and welcome. For those of you who may struggle having people in your homes, this is the perfect alternative for you!

If your palms are starting to sweat, hold on. Showing hospitality to others does not mean fancy schmancy. It does not have to be homemade and it certainly does not have to be a complete meal...unless you signed up for it. If you did commit and are feeling like it is more than you bargained for, ask a friend to help. Maybe you can split the meal.


What is the first thing you do after you commit to taking a dinner to someone? Do you start to stress and wish you would have never offered? Do you ask a friend to trade dates in hope that the recipient will no longer be in need when it rolls around to your turn? Anyway you look at it, it can be a daunting task, to not only need to fix your family dinner but somebody elses family as well!

I think my favorite binder is the "MEALS TO GO" binder. It has made taking meals to people so easy...and might I add...FUN! I am not even kidding! Taking the guess work out of what to prepare and take allows me to make quick decisions and spend a little extra time embellishing it. It is a great way to pamper people and I no longer feel like I am just doing crafts "to do" crafts, but it allows me to be a little creative while being able to share with those who are in need!




Here is what works for me, but I would love to hear what works for you. Others ideas are always welcome and appreciated!!! I think we all enjoy hearing how other people do things!

BINDER ORGANIZATION:

Label your binder

The first page has the list of meals I choose from...if your recepient loves something in particular that you are aware of it makes it even easier to decide!
Keep this list simple and doable. If it is a chicken from Costco, a loaf of bread, bag-o-salad and lemonade, write it down. If it is a box of cereal, milk and bread write it down. This has to be what works for YOU! If it is having a pizza delivered write the phone number down so that you can call and have it DELIVERED! Are we all on the same page? Onward we go!

Each Meal has a complete list of what I will be taking to make it a "meal".

I would encourage you to come up with one menu for each season...start with one meal that will be a JOY to make!




The next page has the recipes, so I am not spending all my time flippin' through different binders trying to track down what I need to make dinner.







Have you ever thought about taking breakfast the evening before? This is AWESOME. You can deliver it in the evening after your evening has "settled" down and it might be a very welcome change for one VERY happy recipient. You may want to try it!

While we have been talking about "meals to go", I wanted to make sure that I mentioned this: there are certainly seasons in life  where it is easier to help others and definitely seasons where it is not possible.  Showing hospitality is nurturing. It is showing you care. Simple as that.  It can look very different and can vary from person to person.

A few of my favorite things I have received as a "bedridden Momma" are: {1}a little bag with a card, a peppermint plant and a box of tea, {2}a bottle of sparkling water and a fresh lemon, {3}a bag of epsom salts etc. Even a sleeve of Saltine crackers and Sierra Mist is something you could keep on hand to deliver when the need arises!

Simple meals to go:

taco salad

pulled bbq beef or chicken

roasted chicken from the deli, a salad and bread

potato salad and chicken strips

pizza

pasta salad and crusty bread

tortilla soup and cornbread

So, as we have all been given the gift of TODAY, I hope that you, too, will find JOY in showing hospitality in a very real way wheather it be a meal, a note or a cup of lemonade!

Oh Happy Day!








Shared with:  comfy in the kitchen, imparting grace, organization made fun

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Anniversary Picnic with Vintage Home Designs

Such patient girlies you all are...well, some of YOU, anyway! Maybe I will take pictures of wrapped gifts more often just to keep you guessing and on your toes, but I know that a few of you peeked...because you told me. Anyhoo, for the rest of you who love surprises...

TODAY is our 21st wedding anniversary and my hubby gave me the most beautiful handmade bread boards ever...





Aren't they adorable? They were packaged in burlap and tied with jute. They come in a set of four different styles and sizes.

My sweet friend, Diana from Vintage Home Designs makes every one of these mini bread boards by hand. Not only do I love her blog, but I love how she and her hubby enjoy life together! They have fun and live a simple life...and her love is a firefighter, too! I know her blog will soon be among your favorites as well! Thank you, Diana for my treasured anniversary gift!

As soon as I opened them and smelled the fresh wood, I knew since it was my year to plan our anniversary, I was going to pack a picnic and the bread boards would serve as plates. They were perfect!

Anniversary Picnic Menu:

Anniversary Champagne



BBQ Shrimp Baguettes



Our very favorite KETTLE CHIPS



Orange Infused Nectarines with Fresh Blueberries from our Neighbors



Champagne Frosted Cupcakes





{BTW, thanks to this, the cupcakes arrived in tact!}


Picnic Details:

The blanket we used was an engagement gift from hubby. He bought it for me along with the salt and pepper shakers while he was on a missions trip to Portugal. It is still so special and he still is so touched that we use it...even on the GRASS!





The sandwiches were wrapped in white recycled parchment paper from the shrimp purchased at the deli...then placed in a brown sandwich bag to keep it cool.



Decorations were kept simple: I used a paper bag to punch out tags for our food and also for the banner I made which was his card!





The napkins were wrapped with recycled jute from the gift-wrapped bread boards



The burlap that the bread boards were wrapped in served as a liner for our picnic basket and was used as a runner. My hubby loved it!




I packed a canning jar our candle, bur since it was breezy on the hill, we popped it into a champagne flute and shared a glass, which was by far more romantic!

Before we were married, he was working at a camp. He would send me a letter almost every day and it said: To the future Mrs. Pearson...I loved seeing my new last name! So, instead of anything else, the banner had to be PEARSON!

MUSIC...we love music. Very seldom do we NOT have music on in our home. SO, thanks to Pandora, we had lovely music for the evening.




ANNNND even though we did not meet in Paris, we had the most fun sitting on Chapman Hill taking in the fresh air, sounds and sights. We laughed and talked and dreamed about the future while looking at the Montgomery Park sign! "Our Spot" holds so many fun memories with promise of many more memories to come...like grand babies rolling down the hill while watching the vaux's swifts fly over head!



ANNNNND aside from our "Come to Jesus Meetin' " with our children it was a wonderful day. They blessed us with a gift certificate to GUSTAVS! ALL on their own. We were overwhelmed!

ANNNNNND...after we picked up from our picnic, we took a stroll around the neighborhoods and went house paint shopping and met the.nicest.people!

A special night with the love of my life!







I LOVE YOU, 2, Mr.Pearson



Thank you for choosing me to be your Mrs. Pearson!



Happy Happy August 11th to YOU!

PS. Have any of you made your candle light dinner, yet? Just checking!

Shared with: Picket Fence

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Garlic Turkey Lavash Wraps

{photo credit: my bff}



We LOVE having company over and every time our guests leave, I want to do it again!!!

It is not about your house, freshly-vacuumed carpets, dusted shelves, and a well-manicured lawn. It IS about getting together and encouraging one another. Listening with your heart and not being distracted by your list of "to do's". {Like siding that is peeling and a garage door that gets stuck...} It is your chance as a hostess to welcome your friends into your home to make them feel pampered, loved and cared for!

There is a time for inviting friends over for a spur-of-the moment dinner, but there is also a time to have them over for a well-planned, but not overly extravagant meal where the focus isn't the surroundings but the friendship.

Here is a simple picnic for the park or your dining room table!


Menu:

Lavash Wraps {Trader Joe's}

Fruit Salad or grapes on the vine with freshly picked strawberries

Kettle Chips {Our Favorite}

A fun sparkly drink...like Trader Joe's Vintage Soda Pop {Thank you, Kim!}

Chocolate chip cookies

Everything can be made ahead...so as to be sure to thoroughly enjoy your company!

So, if you have been thinking about having someone over and you find yourself being too busy, call them, text them, facebook them or whatever other means of communication you might use. Set a date and stick to it. Keep it simple... sandwiches will do just fine and cute napkins always make any meal extra special!

It will be time well spent and I am sure you will want to do it again...sooner than later!

Lavash wraps

Softened cream cheese

Shredded carrots

Avocado

Red leaf romaine, washed, dried and torn into small pieces

Garlic deli turkey , all natural

Sharp Tillamook Cheese, shredded

Directions:

*Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on Lavash bread. Be sure to cover all the nooks and crannies.

*Layer veggies, then the turkey. End with cheese.

*Roll tightly.

*Wrap with a piece of waxed paper.

*Cut sandwich into half.

*Tie a ribbon, string, or twine around the middle.

For a picnic: These can be made in advance. Place prepared wraps in Large gallon size Ziploc bag. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

**Just MAKE SURE the carrots and lettuce have been dried with a paper towel so you don’t end up with soggy wraps and end up ordering SUBWAY for your picnic. {ASK me how I figured that out!}

Best if dipped into a balsamic vinaigrette!

ENJOY!

Shared with: titus 2sday, tip junkie, women living well, raising homemakers, garlic turkey wraps

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Scott's Swiss Ham Sliders

Okay ladies...here is a fast little ditty for a brunch! It is my hubby's go-to when they are short on time and need something FAST. So if it works for a hectic fire station, it will fit the bill for a home full of hungry children, guests or a leisurely last minute breakfast picnic!

Scott’s Firehouse Swiss Ham Sliders



Ingredients:

Mayonnaise

Dijon mustard

12 slices of Black Forest ham or garlic turkey

12 slices of Swiss cheese

24 pack of Sliders Mini Buns {available at Franz Bakery outlet, Cash and Carry, and Beaverton Bakery}



Sauce: {Melt together}

½ cup melted butter with 1 small clove of pressed garlic

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp. poppy seeds

Directions:

*Open buns. Spread mayo on one half and mustard on the other half.



*Place a 1/2 piece of ham on one half and ½ slice of cheese on the other half.



*Place top of bun on bottom half and place in baking pan {9x13}

*After sauce has been mixed together, using a pastry brush {SILICONE IS MY FAVORITE!}…brush tops of sliders with yummy sauce!




*Cover with tin foil and bake for about 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and sliders are golden brown.

*SIMPLY...PRESENTATION: Serve each slider in a cupcake liner or homemade slider pouch using the cupcake liner folded in a half-moon for your template!

SERVE AND ENJOY!

NOTE: To those of you who will not touch pork with a 10 foot pole: Slice avocado and thin slices of tomato or red onion slices with cheese and avocado. You get the idea!

Another note: If you want to give the kiddies something fun to do...have them take a round cookie cutter and make cheese rounds and ham rounds to fit the sandwiches perfectly!!



Do you have a favorite no-fail brunch recipe?

Happy Happy Friday!

*****DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE DIVINE TWINE GIVEAWAY!

shared with: recipes to run on, comfy in the kitchen, titus 2sday, bowl full of lemons

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Picnic Peanut Noodle Salad

Here is a very healthy, easy-to-fix, noodle salad that is great for picnics. It can be made ahead of time {up to two days!} which I love! I never mix in the peanut sauce, but serve it on the side. Especially since there are quite a few people with peanut alleries. It also allows everybody to have it the way they like it! And if you happen to have leftovers, you wont end up with a heap of soggy noodles.

This makes a lot...a large Tupperware Thatsa Bowl...to be exact. So, wheather you are planning an evening picnic out,enjoying a dinner in your backyard or on your front porch, you will want to share! Another practical way to practice hospitality!

Picnic Menu:

Homemade Ginger ALE...so yummy and easy!

Picnic Peanut Noodle Salad

Molasses Cookies {recipe coming soon}



Peanut Noodle Salad
Adapted from the Pioneer Woman


SALAD INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. package American Beauty Thin Spaghetti Noodles, cooked, rinsed, and cooled

Add to noodles:

1/3 of a head of purple cabbage, sliced and chopped

1 red bell pepper, sliced and chopped

1 small bag bean sprouts

1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced

3 carrots, peeled and shredded

1 bunch cilantro…or less…soaked, rinsed, chopped, and toweled off
May be made the night before and stored in large Tupperware Thatsa Bowl
Serve condiments on the side: dressing, soy sauce, Sriracha


Peanut Dressing:

Juice of 1 lime

¼ cup hot water

½ cup crunchy peanut butter

3 tablespoons sesame oil

6 tablespoons soy sauce

1/3 cup Agave Syrup {Trader Joes or Costco}

3 tablespoons fresh ginger, sliced for measuring purposes

4 garlic cloves

1 jalapeno

Blend all ingredients together in blender until smooth. Pour into a canning jar or into a recycled glass container. This will keep up to one week in the fridge.


*This salad can easily be changed. If there is something you don't like, simply leave it out and add something you and your family LOVE. If it is convenient, you can serve the pasta from a bowl and have everybody add their own veggies. A salad/pasta bar! I am sure you all have lots of ideas!

*For those of you who really really REALLY need meat...serve with BBQ Chicken or with
Toasted Sesame Beef Kabobs or leftover steak...sliced into strips!

*If it is a bit cooler out, we make up hot rice and skip the noodles...serve veggies over rice and top with sauce. It is fun to serve them in individual Chinese take out boxes while enjoying the great outdoors. {This is our homemade version of the Native Bowl Food Cart...not exactly the same, but close.}



Happy Picnicking!

Do you have a favorite summer salad?


Recipe shared with: tidy mom, at the picket fence, on the menu monday, comfy in the kitchen

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Let's Picnic!

 

 

 

 

{part 1}

With Spring comes the anticipation of picnics. Lots of them. Wheather it be dining on the bleachers at a ball game or a Sunday afternoon picnic with friends at a park. Packing a picnic can be a great alternative to purchasing pricey, un-healthy food at your favorite local drive-through.

My friend Penny asked me if I had any ideas for easy "pack up and go meals" to eat at the ball park. I thought that since I had been talking about taking meals this week, this would be the perfect time to "chat" about portable lunches/dinners. I am sure you have way more ideas than me , so...be sure to add your ideas and thoughts that work for you.

As mentioned before, I keep a stash of basic containers on hand because the LAST thing I want to do when I get home is to clean a bunch of containers-with the exception of a few glass containers and occasional utensils that can be loaded into the dishwasher.

I keep a stash of basic containers on hand just for picnics.

Depending on what we are having to eat, I pack everything into an oil cloth bag with dividers or a portable cooler on wheels {COSTCO usually carries these every spring} or both. The cooler on wheels is one of my favorites when space is NOT an issue. :)

A caady is perfect for keeping all silverware, plates, napkins etc. ready to go so that it can easily be put into your bag to go at a moments notice. If you have a hard time purchasing one...they are perfect for little kids to take carry around the table when it comes to setting the table for meals. Our children LOVED this!

Everything is packed so it doesn't spill or stain. Be sure to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.

Everybody gets their own container with their "main dish" or their sandwich, unless it is potluck-style where there is a picnic table to put out a large container for everyone to help themselves.

Sometimes I label the containers with the individuals name. This is helpful for those who are picky. Instead of specifying no mayo, no pickles, no meat etc. :)

I used to have such a hard time not having dinner all together at home @ 5:00 sharp every evening. It just threw me for a loop! Once I stopped pouting and decided I could make it fun, it has just been THAT...lots of exciting meals away from home and lots of memories with friends and family.

Here are some menu ideas:

drink

Caesar salad with leftover BBQ chicken-box container

dressing-condiment container

rolls with butter-cookie bag

brownie-cookie bag

drink

tortilla soup in mini Mason jars

cornbread muffin-cookie bag

tortilla chips-cookie bag

applesauce with cinnamon sugar-glass container

drink

chopped salad-box container

dressing-condiment container

focaccia bread-cookie bag

drink

tunafish sandwiches-cookie bag

pita chips-cookie bag

monster cookies-cookie bag

ginger ale

Asian rice/noodle bowl-large Chinese take-out box

molasses cookies

drink

pasta salad-large Chinese take-out box

mini focaccia loaves-cookie bag

mini cupcakes-mini Chinese take-out box

Italian Sodas-disposable cup with lid and straw in drink carrier

Turkey wraps in Lovash-wrapped in wax paper and put in box container

chips-cookie bag

apple slices-cookie bag

BBQ beef sandwiches-wrapped in wax paper and put into box container

potato salad-mini Chinese take out

carrot/celery sticks-small cup with lid

ranch dressing-condiment container

oatmeal cookies-cookie bag

strawberry lemonade-disposable cup with lid and straw

taco salad-box container

salsa and sour cream-condiment container

pineapple slices

{Individual drinks should be packed for ball games as it is NOT convenient to be passing a thermos around with cups etc. Sun tea, lemonade and water are much healthier and more cost effective than soda pop with high fructose corn syrup.}

This was originally posted 4.15.10

{part 2}

Since I got more than one e-mail wondering who else carries the containers I had mentioned in the picnic post, I decided to follow up with a second post.

RESTAURANT SUPPLY STORES ARE THE PERFECT PLACE TO PURCHASE PICNIC ESSENTIALS. Cash and Carry is my #1 choice. You can’t beat their prices. If you are limited on storage space, you may consider splitting your goods with a friend. Think about only purchasing one or two different kinds that be used for a variety of uses: leftovers, gift boxes, kids’ lunches, etc.

If you live in the middle of nowhere...Garnish carries a large selection of containers that you will LOVE! You wont even have to leave the comfort of your own home at o-dark-thirty to head out to Cash and Carry hoping the whole drive over that all of the solid white containers are not gone {AGAIN!} and to be left with the containers that still have their original "SWOOSHY" design that was all the rage in the 70's. Who knows?! I personally am in love with white, because even if you don't embellish it, it still looks classy!

If you don't purchase the products, I can guarantee you will be on the lookout for produce etc. that comes in these fancy little packages! You will become a Treasure Hunter in your own right! Just don't drive to the GOLDEN ARCHES and park your little self by the trash bin and ask people for their drink carriers, leftover napkins, ketchup packages and straws...oh and the adorable condiment containers. I'm just saying.

However, there is NOTHING wrong with asking your family and friends to save their packaging for you, though.

Now that business is taken care of here are some things I love to use:

COOKIE BAGS: great for cookies, bars, chips, some veggies etc.

DELI CONTAINER: Great for extra soup, apple slices, veggie slices, BBQ beef, ice cream

CONDIMENT CONTAINER: So nice for Ketchup, mustard, mayo, salad dressing, salsa, sour cream

SOUP CONTAINER: Can be used for packing soup, ice cream, cobbler, pasta salad, trifle etc.

PRODUCE CONTAINER: Fun to package a sandwich lunch in. Think of it as a lunchbox. {No time? Go buy a bag of french fries, bake 'em. Line the container with wax paper or a paper towel, put the fries in it along with a condiment container with ketchup and let your little athlete have a snack on the way to the game!}

BOX CONTAINER: This is awesome for everything! I even take gifts in these boxes!

P.S. These containers are amazing for picnics, but I use them for taking meals to people as well. The recipient of a delivered meal will not only be grateful for a night of no dishes, but I am pretty sure the happy dance will be taking place when it comes to having one less 9x13 in the back of the car to return!

All paper container pictures are from GARNISH

Mason Jars: Amazing portable containers that can be purchased at thrift stores, garage sales, or sometimes given away by those who are no longer canning. Ask around before you buy! You never know. These are great because there are so many different sizes. Think about toting soups, trifles, berries and cream, crisps, cobblers and pies that are hot from the oven. Just bake as you would in a ramekin, let cool a bit and screw the lid on…these can be placed in a drink carrier and they will not budge…plus they are a bit insulated.

{A pie picnic is a fun thing to do on a summer evening...pack ice cold milk, hot pies from the oven and fresh whipped cream!}

IKEA’S SLOM Bottle with Stopper: A bargain for $2.99. These may be used as an alternative to purchasing plastic water bottles. Keep them filled with filtered water ready to grab-n-go. No need to worry about a leaky thermos. The smaller ones are a great choice for de-cantering soy sauce, syrups for a breakfast picnic or other dressings for potluck-style picnics. The glass keeps things extra cold or hot! And they are so charming!

Starbucks Frappucino Mocha bottles: great for individual drinks, sauces, and flowers!

Our family favorite: Table in a bag from Crate and Barrel. We take it everywhere. It is perfect for places that don't have tables and we love it for outdoor concerts, the beach, the lake, forest picnics etc. We have even taken it to homes for little kiddos to sit around! It is on sale right now for less than $35.00!

Shared with: at the picket fence, stuff and nonsense, tidy mom, pink saturday, raising homemakers, women living well

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