Pork Stew

I LOVE this recipe! It's easy and so yummy, especially in the winter. And it's even better the second day. The recipe comes from my Pillsbury Complete Cookbook and unlike most recipes, I made no variations. Ingredients:
1 T. oil
1 1/2 lb. boneless pork loin, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 (14 1/2 oz) can ready-to-serve chicken broth
1 C. water
1 med. onion, cut into 8 wedges
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried marjoram leaves
1/8 tsp. pepper
10-12 small red pottoes, quartered
1 1/2 C. sliced carrots
1 C. frozen sweet peas
1/2 C. half-and-half
1/4 C. all-purpose flour

Heat oil in 4-quart saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until hot. Add pork cubes; cook 3 to 5 minutes or unitl browned, stirring occasionally. Add broth, water, onion, salt, marjoram and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 minutes.

Add potatoes, carrots and peas. Return to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer an additional 15 to 20 minutes or unitl vegetables are tender.

In small bowl, combine half-and-half and flour; blend until smooth. Gradually stir into pork mixture. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until mixture is bubbly and thickened.
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This week I am adding this favorite recipe to 4 weekly blog parties - because it's just that good! Check all 4 out for great recipes: Friend Making Monday,Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, What's for Dinner Thursday, and Foodie Friday !

Friend Makin Monday

Amber is hosting Friend Makin Monday this week!

10 Things I Loved About Summer



1. Time at my Mom's & Dad's house.

2. Vacation Bible School

3. Our 10th Anniversary Trip

4. Trips to the Splash Park

5. A trip to the Children's Museum.

6. T-Ball

7. Fireworks on the 4th

8. Time with Family

9. A visit to the NASA exhibit at the Clinton Library.

10. A trip to the Arkansas Museum of Discovery

Friend Makin Monday

Come join blog friends over at Friend Makin Monday with guest host Kelli, hosting for Kasey at All That is Good who is on a month long trip out west. Check out her blog to read about her vaca. adventures!

Over the years I've learned a lot about friendship. I've learned that you have many different types of friends for many different reasons. Some friends are lifers, some come and go, some need you, some  you need and when you're really lucky you find a lifer who both needs you, loves you and lets you lean on them when you need someone. I have two such friends. 

The first, Natasha, and I have been friends literally our entire lives. We were raised in the same church and even though we had other close friends and sometimes completely different lives, we also know we're just a phone call away. We can go for months without talking, but we know we are always there for each other when a crisis hits and we have a bond that I don't think I've ever had with another friend. It's rare that you can go for months without talking, but still feel so connected to someone.

My other BFF is Kelly. Kelly and her family moved to our city for a short time and after coming to our church, we became fast friends. You know how you just "click" with some people - well Kelly and I clicked. We are so alike in so many ways, but not so alike that we drive each other crazy. Kelly and her family moved to the other side of the state about 3 1/2 years ago, but try our best to stay close. Again, she's one of those friends that we go months without talking, but when we do  - or better yet, get together for a visit - you can't shut us up. Recently we were able to attend a women's conference together and it was a great time to reconnect. Kelly's one of those friends that I know I can rely on even though she's 5 hours away.
About a year ago, I got a book in the mail from Kelly. It's a great book about friendships about women and it's taught me a lot. One key thing is has taught me is about your friendship baskets. In life, you have 3 baskets: basket 3 is aquantances and can have hundreds, basket 2 is a hand-full of friends you are close to, but not intimate, basket 1 are the friends whom you are closest, tell all of your deep dark secrets to and call in the middle of the night just when you need a friend to cry with. Basket 1 usually only holds 1-3 friends. If you're looking for a good book of how to have healthy friendships, this is a good one!

Friend Makin Monday

Happy Monday! Today, Shawn at Seriously Shawn is hosting Frind Makin Monday while Kasey is out of town on a little Vaca. Today's all about the 4th of July!

What are you doing this July 4th?
We will be spending the 4th with my husbands extended family as we've done the last several years. We always have way too much to eat, an increasing number of baby cousins and usually the boys head out to toss the football.

What is your favorite dish to pass when attending a 4th of July party or summer barbecue? I am making my requested brownies again this year and a fruit salad. The brownies, two boxes of 13x9 brownie mix. Place one batter mix in the pan, layer with Hershey's symphony bars and top with the second box. You'll need to extend your back time. They are wonderful!! The fruit salad, start with a can of peach pie filling and add any fruit that you like. Mine will most likely have strawberries, pineapple, bananas and madarine oranges. And maybe some blueberries. Easy and good!

Do you have any July 4th traditions?
We always spend the 4th at my husbands grandmothers. We also usually do fireworks in the evening.

Share Your Favorite 4th of July Pic(s)

4th of July 2007

4th of July 2008

Friend Makin Monday

Today's Friend Makin Monday over at All That is Good is about coming clean. A few confessions are good for the soul.

1. I often feed the boys a waffle on the way to the sitters house rather than getting them up earlier to eat breakfast so that I can sleep an extra 10 minutes. (It's only twice a week!)

2. I often let Samuel fall asleep in his bed while watching Scooby Doo. Isn't that a terrible habit to start at 5!

3. I'm already REALLY dreading Samuel starting kindergarten because I know I'm going to have to get up early every day to take him.

4. Tyler is 20 months and I still often put him in the swing to fall asleep. He can actually turn it on and climb in himself. I know it's time to put it up, but he likes it!

5. I ate at Burger King 3 times in 8 days last week. Not my choice, it just happened. It won't happen again!

Friend Makin Monday

Kasey at All That is Good is once again hosting Friend Makin Monday. This week's theme is to tell 10 things you love about summer!

1. The summer reading program at our local library and their off-site program on Wednesdays.

2. Trips to the park.

3. Trips to the zoo.

4. The lighter work load at work.

5. Cookouts with friends.

6. The farmers market and all of those great fresh fruits and veges - and better yet, veges from my mom and dads garden.

7. Naps on a hot summer afternoon with the air conditioner running and the ceiling fan on - well, okay I use to get those. But I love the memory!

8. Visiting with friends at hubby's softball games.

9. Long days where we can stay outside until sunset (you don't stay outside here after sunset - mosquito country!)

10. Flip-flops, sandles and Crocks. We get out of the house so much faster when I don't have to put socks, shoes and coats on the boys!

Friend Making Monday

Check out All That is Good for Friend Making Monday!

You wouldn't be caught dead where? Any place really high

Do you have any hidden talents? I can't think of any

Name two things you consider yourself to be very good at: Photography, Baking

Name two things you consider yourself to be very bad at: Math, Team Sports

Have you ever won a trophy? Yes, Ice Skating

Name one thing not many people know about you: I logged hundreds of volunteer hours while I was in high school including being a candy stripper for two summers

Name your earliest memory: Being at my grandparents house (my Grandfather died when I was 2)

What was your favorite musical group in jr. high? NKOTB

What was something the worst roommate you ever had did? She would make a phone call every night at exactly the time she knew my at home boyfriend was suppose to call and stay on the phone for an hour (this was back when I only had 30 minutes a month on my huge flip cell phone LOL). We weren't roommates long, we were waiting for her private room to open!

When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? An astronaut

What was your worst dating experience? I don't really have anything.

If you were about to die what would your last meal be? If I knew it was absolutely my last meal I would eat a big steak. I'm allergic to beef so that's the one thing I wish I could eat that I can't.

Who is the most important person in you life? My Husband

If your house was on fire what 3 things would you grab on your way out? If my family were out - My scrapbooks, My photo disk and my jewlery box.