Another Labor Day is upon us! The time most people celebrate Summer for the last time... Family's have their last cookout for the season so let's talk about food... I love food on the grill
This is my fav way to grill burgers

GRILLED BARBEQUED HAMBURGERS

With each 1 pound hamburger, mix: 1/3 c. barbecue sauce Chopped onion, optional
Make into thick patties (4 per pound) and grill. The juice stays in the hamburger and the barbeque sauce doesn't burn. Great taste!

I also love grilled weiners the same way but VERY Black!

A good steak is hard to find but this is how it is recommended, not sure how well this works...
Grilling the perfect steak is an art form. It takes practice and patience to master it. If you follow these simple steps you will have no trouble grilling a great steak. I am assuming that you already have the right cut of steak and know how to seasoning it (or not) to your liking.
Let your steak reach room temperature before grilling. Some people might tell you that this isn't necessary, however I feel that this helps grill your steak more evenly and faster.
Trim the steak of excess fat. Any strips of fat should be about 1/4" thick. Also cut through the fat strip about every 1 1/2". When grilling fat shrinks fast than the meat and it can cause your steaks to curl.
Season. I light brushing of olive oil, maybe some fresh cracked pepper is all you want. Seasoning is entirely up to you. Preheat the grill. Hot as it will go for a gas grill or a single layer of ashy white coals for a charcoal grill.
Oil the grate. An easy way to do this is to take a piece of trimmed fat, hold in tightly in a pair of tongs and rub it on the hot grate.
Grill. Place each steak on the grill for one minute. Turn and grill on the second side for an additional minute. Turn and rotate 45 degrees and grill for half the remaining cooking time. Turn again. If you do this right you will get a nice diamond pattern of grill marks.
Remove when done. I use the pressure test to check my steaks. When you are getting close to having a done steak press it with your index finger or the flat side of a grilling fork to get a feel for it. A rare steak will be soft. A medium steak will be firm but yielding. A well steak will be firm. Once you get the hang of this trick you will be able to remove steaks from the grill at just the right second.
Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will let the juices flow out from the center so the whole steak is nice and juicy.
Grilling Times by Thickness
These times are total cooking times. Divide in half for each side. Times are approximate and will vary depending on the type of grill, fuel, weather conditions, etc..
Thickness
Rare
Medium
Well
Heat
1"
8-10
12-14
16-20
High
1 1/2"
10-14
16-20
22-26
High
2
12-16
18-22
24-28
Medium


Sides on the grill include.......
potato salad
This is a delicious potato salad for a summer meal or cookout, and it's one of my family's favorites.
Ingredients:
4 to 5 cups cubed waxy potatoes, cooked, drained, cooled*
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped red onion
3 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped sweet pickle
2 teaspoons sweet pickle juice
1/2 to 2/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 to 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Preparation:Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir gently to combine. Refrigerate until serving time.Serves 4 to 6.*For best texture, use new potatoes, red skinned potatoes, or other boiling potatoes.


baked beans
Awesome Baked Beans:
1½ hours 20 min prep
8-10 servings
1 (53 ounce) can pork and beans (Drained and pork removed)
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
3 tablespoons mustard
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 white onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 slice 1/2 inch thick deli ham, cubed
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1. Set Pork-n-Beans in a collander to drain while you mix together the rest.
2. In large bowl stir together tomato sauce, mustard, worcestershire sauce.
3. Stir in onion, bell pepper and ham.
4. Once it is well mixed stir in the brown sugar til it is dissolved.
5. Now add beans to the mix.
6. Bake at 425 for one hour.


pasta salad

COLD PASTA SALAD

1 lb. pasta, cooked & drained
1 cup Italian salad dressing or vinaigrette
1 tablespoon Salad Supreme seasoning
3 tomatoes, chopped
2 cucumbers, chopped
1 1/2 red onions, chopped
2 green peppers, chopped
Combine all above ingredients into a very large bowl and marinate overnight. Put a lid over your bowl. Serve cold.

deviled eggs

8 hard-cooked eggs
1/2 cup MIRACLE WHIP Dressing
2 Tbsp. CLAUSSEN Sweet Pickle Relish
2 tsp. yellow mustard
1/4 tsp. salt
Dash of pepper
Dash of paprika
CUT eggs in half lengthwise. Remove yolks; mash in small bowl. Add dressing, relish, mustard and seasonings; mix well.
SPOON or pipe yolk mixture evenly into centers of egg whites.
SERVE immediately. Or, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.


assortment of chips w/ dips
fruit salad, fruit tray w/ dip
veggie tray w/ dip

Enjoy!

Nicholas Sparks

As a lover of reading, I was excited to hear that this book is going to be a movie in the very near future... The movie stars Richard Gere & Diane Lane, 2 all time great actors in their field! I can't wait to see this one!

Here is what it is about......
Adrienne Willis is forty-five and has been divorced for three years, abandoned by her husband for a younger woman. The trials of raising her teenage children and caring for her sick father have worn her down, but at the request of a friend and in hopes of a respite, she’s gone to the coastal village of Rodanthe in North Carolina’s outer banks to tend the local inn for the weekend. With a major storm brewing, the time away doesn’t look promising…until a guest named Paul Flanner arrives.At fifty-four, Paul is a successful surgeon but in the previous six months his life has unraveled into something he doesn’t recognize. Estranged from his son and recently divorced, he’s sold his practice and his home and has journeyed to this isolated coastal town in hopes of closing a painful chapter in his past, completely unaware that his life is about to change forever.Adrienne and Paul come together as the storm gathers strength over Rodanthe, but what begins between them over the weekend will resonate throughout the rest of their lives, intertwining past and future, love and loss.

Just one of the lakes in our area

This is an area lake that my family visits several times a yr! It is always crowded with people, young & old looking to have a good time on the water...



Dewey Lake is the result of Dewey Dam on Johns Creek Of Levisa Fork in Floyd County, Kentucky and is used for flood control, recreation and fish and wildlife protection, among other things. Construction of Dewey Dam was completed in 1949. At normal levels it has a surface area of 1.7 square miles. It is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake property.


Dewey Lake and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park have many facilities for visitor recreation and assistance: Marina, May Lodge and Cabins, Convention Center, Golf Course, Swimming Pool,theatre, Jenny Wiley State Resort Park Campground, and Corps of Engineers: Shoreline I, Shoreline II, and the Downstream Recreation Area

Recipes for the day.... Pasta salad

BLT pasta salad
1 (16 ounce) package medium seashell pasta
1 pound sliced bacon
1 1/2 cups light Ranch-style salad dressing
1 small onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped

DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water to cool.
Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until browned and crisp. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels.
In a large bowl, stir together the Ranch dressing, onion, and tomatoes. Mix in the cooled pasta. The pasta will absorb some of the dressing, so don't worry if it seems like too much. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Crumble bacon over the top just before serving.



Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
1 (12 ounce) package uncooked tri-color rotini pasta
10 slices bacon
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons dry ranch salad dressing mix
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper
1/2 cup milk, or as needed
1 large tomato, chopped
1 (4.25 ounce) can sliced black olives
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Stir in rotini pasta and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until al dente; drain.
Place bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until evenly brown. Drain and chop.
In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, and garlic pepper. Stir in milk until smooth. Place bacon, tomato, black olives and cheese in bowl and toss to coat with dressing. Cover and chill at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. Toss with additional milk if the salad seems a little dry.


Confetti pasta salad
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 cups colored rotini pasta
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
1/2 cup sliced black olives




DIRECTIONS
Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse in cold water, and drain.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, black pepper, and garlic until well blended. Mix in basil. Add pasta, tomatoes, bell peppers, and olives; fold gently until mixed. Chill several hours. Stir gently before serving


Salsa pasta salad



2 cups dry rainbow radiatore pasta
1 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives
3 tomatoes, diced
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
1/3 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder



DIRECTIONS
In a large pot with boiling salted water cook radiatore pasta until al dente. Drain.
Meanwhile, combine chopped onion, bell pepper, olives, tomatoes, and green chilies in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, cilantro, garlic salt, lemon juice, vegetable oil, sugar and chili powder.
Mix cooked pasta with vegetables. Toss with cilantro dressing and serve.

Let them eat cake

Pioneer Woman Chocolate Sheet Cake

Combine in a mixing bowl:2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
In a saucepan, melt: 2 sticks butter
Add 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa.
Stir together. Add 1 cup boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.
In measuring cup, pour 1/2 cup buttermilk.Add:2 beaten eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes.
While cake is baking, make icing:
Chop 1/2 cup pecans finely.
Melt 1 3/4 sticks butter in a saucepan.Add 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat.
Add:6 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 lb minus 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Stir together.Add pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.
Cut into squares, eat, and totally wig out over the fact that you’ve just made the best chocolate sheet cake. Ever.

Food for thought

Stuffed Green Pepper Soup

1 lb extra lean ground beef1 cup diced onion1/2 tsp basil1/2 tsp oregano1 (14.5oz) can diced tomatoes2 cups chopped green peppers1 (15oz) can tomato sauce3 cups water 1 tbs. beef bouillon1 cup cooked brown riceBrown beef w/onion. Place in slow cooker w/ remaining ingredients on low for 6-8 hrs or place in lge soup pot and simmer for 1 hour.


Pioneer Woman Apple Dumplings "2 Granny Smith apples2 cans crescent rolls2 sticks butter1 1/2 cups sugar1 teaspoons vanillacinnamon1 small can Mountain DewPeel and core apples. Cut apples into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.

Funny pics

Sometimes you really have to wonder about what people think when these pics are released on to the big ole world wide web... I found these to be quite funny, hope you do as well...


Now why would you want to eat here? What would the dessert menu look like? Dingle Berries served in a "special" chocolate sauce?


So........ you can buy kids now? What if I wanted to sale you some? Can I get a even better discount?


Cheesy Tits? Shouldn't this be at Hooters? Have you seen the waitresses at Burger King?


Tired of your old kid? Get new ones here? Now this is a great idea because I hear people complain about their kids everyday but with this great program, no need to complain ever again.


Big Manly beach.... As if men don't think they are manly enough, there has to be a beach named after them? What kind of men are here? Manly as opposed to wimps, maybe? Does that mean these men know how to put the toilet seat down? How about tell the truth? Keep their zipper closed? Oh but wait, I guess this is what makes it a "manly beach" after all...


Looks like Lorena Bobbit has a job.... This one speaks for itself...



Is this a discount store for the mentally challenged? & just who donates to this store?


&& last but by no means last.......... Why do some people even go out of the house?
Ummmmm NO it's not!

Recipe

RECIPE of the Day


This sounded so yummy to me! I haven't had the chance to make it yet but I am hoping someone else will & let me know if they like it or not. Now I love corn bread, esp Jiffy corn bread mix so this should be good, right?

Broccoli Corn Bread

Ingredients: 2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix, or similar 4 eggs, beaten 1/2 stick melted butter or margarine 1 pkg. (10 oz) chopped broccoli, thawed and drained 1 medium onion, chopped (I leave the onion out, no one here likes it)1 cup cottage cheese1 cup grated cheddar

Preparation: Combine all ingredients and pour into greased 9- X 13-inch baking dish. Bake at 375° for 35 to 40 minutes, or until lightly browned.

I love to online shop

DEAL OF THE DAY

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/clearance/mens1/youngmenspants/PRD~405002/Urban+Pipeline+Relaxed+Fit+Jeans.jsp?prtID=pfx&src=k1971&cm_mmc=Performics-_-Affiliate-_-**Slick%20Deals**-_-120x30%20Kohl's%20w%2Fborder

One of my biggest passions in life is shopping! However, I only like to online shop! There are no people to deal with, no lines, nothing! It is wonderful! I can find you a bargain on almost anything that you might be looking for... I go here www.currentcodes.com for coupon codes but the best are shopping forums! Yes, they make online sites for people, like me that love to shop. I ONLY buy something if it is super cheap, like I got my sister stainless steel cookware for $33, orginal price was over $200, see what I mean? Some people don't understand online shopping because in order to find the bargains, you have to pretty much troll the shopping boards several times a day! My favorites is www.fishingfordeals.com & then you go under catch of the day. What I like about this site is that you can also sign up & talk about other things with people but not in a chat type of format. It is a good way to whine about family problems & get advice with out anyone knowing who you are & better yet, your dear loving family not knowing at all. Once you sign up there, go to catch of the day & then for the halibut to see what other people have to say about anything & everything. They also have a cooking board where I have gotten some great recipes from there, YUM!

Ok, my other fav place to shop is www.slickdeals.net they have a board about kohls & everything that is a really good price from there. I have so much stuff from kohls that I think I have bought stock in the co by now.