Welcome back Jenny Mac!

Well, well, well....look who's skulking back? 

Where have I been?  Well I didn't win the 1.5 billion lottery that is for sure! Where do I start? First, I went back to school. This was long over due and finally! Working on earning a Master's in Health and Wellness.  YAY!

I've learned to NOT print out all the readings that was eating up ink and paper like crazy and most of the reading were not worth the ink and paper is was on....so the learning curve from online learning is QUICK!

Here is the print out of a normal 5 week class!







Geez, finding the right school and the right degree that worked for me probably took ten years of whining, debating and procrastinating.  Happy to say that I am finishing up my sixth class and have only 4 more to go!!! Started my first class in July 2015 on vacation in Virginia Beach (ironic) and will finish probably in the Fall of October (15 months!).  Oh, the online hell I have been through!  Online learning is a whole different animal and.... I tell you - the personalities of these Professors, unreal.  You think one is bad, they get worse.  You learn their quirks and you find you can deal with them, then you move onto the next class and you get another prof with worse quirks.  OMG.  I don't know how graduate students who actually have to sit with a IRL prof do a quarter.  Five weeks of my wonky profs is enough....Honestly, out of the 6 classes, two were fine. Statistics class, I had no idea is standard for ALL master's degrees.  Crazy...But I am a better person because of it, right? Riiiiighhhtttt!😉


So here is just few highlights of the things that have happened since my last post....

We got new windows for the house.....










Normal people spend money on their children's college education or new car....we got a bay window.









Returned to school and found the ice maker sprung a leak...




 They took off only the ruined tiles so now I have three different colored tiles on my floor. Ratchet!












 Halloween 2014.... Got up at 5am to wear this all day at school.















I created "Wrappapalooza" at my school. Taught the kids how to wrap presents, had the staff to bring in their presents so the kids could practice.  Not too shabby eh?

















Spirit Week before Winter Break...Decades Day...can you guess which decade I was?















We had a Christmas Party after a long stint since our last one....














 Happy New Year 2015!   Corny- I know....









 My Second Semester Showcase highlighting the kids work






 Some student love on a card....




















Tie Dyed Cookies that cookie club made. Those were a lot of work....















 Cheryl Janes- One of my best friends from high school died from lung, colon and liver cancer....Miss you Cheryl!













Yes, our furry kids are still doing crazy things....














 I was told I was going to lose part of my storage room to create a new classroom entrance.  My fellow coworker and art teacher next door lost his entire storage room/office.  I was lucky. If you see the shelving on the right, where it starts is the new entrance.  I lost a 6X6 space.

















End of the year love- left on my whiteboard from my 'lunch bunch.'
















My list of course work in case you are interested....I love seeing the list get smaller...
















 Our young Tech Ed teacher, Adam Nesbitt, suddenly died after playing football with friends this Fall. We still don't know why. We had a lovely memorial service at our school for the staff and kids who wanted to celebrate what he did for our school. Pictured is the tree we planted in his honor.













Halloween 2015- Crazy JennyMac and K-man


















Our first Karaoke at school before the holidays...I think Jessica (the chorus teacher) and I were singing "I got you babe"
















Snowzilla, Snowcation....whatever you called it where you were....we had 7 snow days in a row.  I did 3 weeks of grad work during that time.  And a little shoveling....

Threw a surprise 80's party for my "adopted" 6th grader Abby and her 3 best friends....who all have become like daughters to me this year.  This happened when Mr. Nesbitt died and Abby said at the memorial that she was an 80s nerd and she and Mr. Nesbitt listened to 80s tunes.  I told her at the memorial to come see me that I had 15 CDs of 80s music.... and the rest is history.  They come everyday now after school.

Bit into some toffee and broke off my tooth...got my first crown.

















Walked in my room on a Monday morning a few weeks ago and found a cabinet fell off the wall and everything in it on the floor.  The 7 other cabinet/shelves had to be reinforced just in case they wanted to follow suit.  That is a sewing machine under it if you can tell!

Ok, do you feel all caught up now?  I do. 

Good, now I can get down to the real meat of why I am back posting again. Tomorrow I start....

Stay tuned tomorrow to hear what THAT is all about...


Back to Blogging

The ones I missed....A 2014 Food in Review!

Happy New Year's Eve Jenny Mac Lipsmack Fans! 

I know I wasn't posting as much this year but I have been cooking quite a bit! I really need to create some system to get my recipes on my blog in an easier way! Any suggestions short of hiring an assistant, feel free to send me suggestions...So Good-Bye 2014....here is some of what I have made chronicling my year in food in review.


Cauliflower Tots is what caught my eye on Pinterest but when I saw the site included her version of Zucchini Tots and that was the abundant item currently from the summer's bounty...it is what I made.  These are pretty healthy with lower fat cheese and were VERY good!  I'd make again!

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/07/zucchini-tots.html

Bacon and Cheddar Zucchini Bread.  Ha-Ha....mine looked anemic.  Nothing like the picture on the website.  Perhaps I needed to cook it more but the cake tester came out clean.  I was afraid of drying it out.  It was okay.  I'd try again to see if it turned out better, but I was sad over the waste of good bacon in this.  I think half of it got thrown away.  You try it and see if yours looks like the one in their website. Let me know how you did!

http://www.lovefoodies.com/bacon--cheddar-zucchini-bread.html

I loveeeeeee demonstrating new foods for my students to try.  These were a little treat I found on Pinterest.  The students loved it so much I included it on my school website for the kids to have access to make at home if they wanted.  So if picky 7th graders gobbled these down and wanted more, you may have a hit at home with your kids!

http://www.apsva.us/page/7305#minimuff

Every so often I become OBSESSED with some type of recipe.  I have biscuits crumbs in my blood due to my grandmother making them all the time (Did I pass Me-mom?) However she would woefully say to us when we'd visit how sorry she was that these were not one of her better batches. WTH? They were always good! She was just overly perfectionistic! So the more I see recipes done on TV about biscuits and the flaky layers and the such...I wanted the same.  See the monster you created in me Me-mom?  Warning the recipe provided is good but it's really about the PROCESS of the dough folding.  Trust me, don't ignore this warning, it's more about the folding than the recipe.  I had to make this about 5 times to understand this.  Don't be stubborn like me.

http://traceysculinaryadventures.com/2013/03/foolproof-flaky-buttermilk-biscuits.html

I made this Pumpkin resembling Cheeseball for halloween.  I had printed it out last year but found it and made it this year.  I searched for the recipe and found it on Food Network.  It was really good with minced jalapeno and coated in ground up Dorito chips.  Next year, I'd make it with more minced jalapenos.  We like it zippy around here!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/pumpkin-cheese-ball-recipe.html

Sorry, I was too busy cooking on Thanksgiving....and we wanted to eat! But I included this picture because the real standout recipe that was new this year that I would DEFINITELY make again was the Chipotle Sweet Potatoes.  Sweet Heat.  We loved it.  I think I enhanced the recipe by adding just a touch of brown sugar 1/4-1/2 cup to bump the sweetness.  I buy those chipotle peppers in a can and separate the peppers out in their own baggie with some of the sauce and store them in the freezer! That is what this recipe called for ONE of those hot suckers in these here taters! Barely seen on the right...LOL

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/chipotle-smashed-sweet-potatoes-recipe2.html

Christmas Holiday Party! We invited the neighbors to meet and greet.  We hadn't done it in a long time.  Those who came, we had a blast.  Might consider doing this again, maybe a tradition...Hey, it's gets the house cleaned too! LOL.  Found most of my ideas on Pinterest, modified them like the appetizer tree below.  When I figured out that only half of the neighbors were coming I chopped half of my styrofoam cone down (AC Moore, Michael's Craft stores, Jo-Ann's). Covered in plastic wrap. It was fun to assemble but really appropriate for a large crowd. We had much of this tree left over.

http://catsonthehomestead.blogspot.com/2013/11/appetizer-tree.html

This was adorably cute but I'd use a different recipe.  Bottom half was mustard, onion with cheddar cheese and the top (head) was a pesto.  Coated in Parmesan cheese.  I just wasn't WOW'ed by the flavors.  Use the favorite cheese ball recipe of your own and use the picture as a base how to SCULP your snowman.  I will include the link so you can be your own judge if you like it or not.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/make-ahead-snowman-cheese-ball/f29c01e3-0729-4c22-ac99-7646b49f8453

I have made this Ranch Veggie Tree numerous times.  Kids even love it.  Very easy.  I tweak their version on Pillsbury.com by using dry ranch mix in whipped cream cheese and my decoration of the tree is more prominent. Their site includes a video if you need it.

http://www.pillsbury.com/holidays-celebrations/christmas/how-to-make-a-tree-shaped-crescent-veggie-appetizer

Classic Sausage Ball recipe by Bisquick.  Next year I am making it with their Gluten Free mix since I have a GF neighbor and I would like to give her more options next time.  Also I think I will hunt for an optional dipping sauce as well.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/gluten-free-sausage-cheese-balls/99b6ed51-9859-46aa-90bf-eecc41711529

I am NOT a seafood eater, however my husband is.  A good host has to please other people than herself, so sometimes she's gotta 'suck it up' and touch smell fish! K-man raved about this so this recipe will be repeated to keep him and my other guests in the future happy.  Thanks Pioneer Woman!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/spicy-lemon-garlic-shrimp-recipe.html

Easy Peasy! Phyllo Shells, brie and Cranberry Sauce.  Just melt brie for about 5 minutes in the oven and top with cranberry sauce.  Yum!

http://www.thecookingmom.com/recipe-box/appetizers/cranberry-brie-bites/

Just a peek of the SPREAD....

Party Sweets!  Top: Oreo Truffles, Middle: Salted Caramel Bon-Bons and Bottom: Pretzel Kisses and Pecan Rolo Pretzel Bites.

School Staff Food Gifts...Oreo Snowman

I tweaked this idea with adding sprinkles, and pull apart licorice garland.  Staff loved them!

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/pretzel-christmas-trees/

Lastly, I just wanted an old standby for a sweet treat during the holidays.  Shortbread, simple, satisfies, makes many.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/heavenly-shortbread/detail.aspx

See you next year!

In Foodie Love,

Gluten Free Elbows with Mixed Mushrooms and Italian Sausage Soup

Nothing helps a cold feel like it's getting better than some soup.  Homemade soup.  This is my second recipe for Barilla this month with Allrecipes Allstars Ambassadors.  So many people may think of just classic Italian recipes when using pasta...something tomatoey or lasagna layered or even a casserole.  I think people forget to round out a soup with some pasta to make it more a complete meal especially when the soup may be mostly protein and veggies...throw in some pasta!

Keep reading to view the recipe but also how it made it mine....

Gluten-Free Elbows with Mixed Mushrooms and Italian Sausage Soup
from Allrecipes.com, sponsored and recipe by Barilla

1 (12 ounce) box Barilla® Gluten Free Elbows
3 quarts chicken stock
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 sprig rosemary
4 (6 ounce) packages mixed mushrooms
1 pound Italian sausage, boiled for 10 minutes and cut into 1/3 inch slices
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

1. In a large soup pot, bring the chicken stock to a simmer.

2. Meanwhile, in a skillet, saute garlic with olive oil and rosemary for one minute or until slightly yellow. Add mushrooms and saute until lightly browned. Add sausage and saute for 2 minutes.

3. Add mushrooms and sausage into broth; stir in beans, tomatoes and Barilla® Gluten Free Elbows. Cook for half the recommended time on the box.

4. Let the soup rest for ten minutes before serving. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and olive oil drizzled on top.

Cook's Notes:

1. I like using Gluten Free products, even though I have fallen off my Paleo wagon and have no gluten allergies, I find the GF products don't give me any stomach distress.
2.  Although it is nice to receive some coupons to assist in the cost of the recipe making, I didn't feel the need to get 4 different packages of mushrooms.  The slice baby bellas looked good so they won.
3.  We always have hot Italian sausage in the freezer so I baked 5 links off.  Always looking for Zip! Cutting into 1/3 inch?  Come on now...
4. I just used a handful of grape tomatoes that I had left,  you could use a 15 oz canned whole tomatoes if you wanted but I felt this soup had plenty already.
5. Skipped the parsley because I had fresh basil I needed to get rid of....
6.  Look at the amount of elbows in the picture.  I used only HALF a box.  If I has used the whole box, this wouldn't be a soup anymore but turn into a casserole.  Unless you are feeding an army, you will need to increase the amount of stock if you use the whole box.

This was a tasty soup AND very hearty.  After I made this I got wild whim to whip up some cornbread to eat with it.  Delish!

#AllstarsBarilla

Slurp!

Three Cheese Tortellini with Chicken Broth

Oh, what a busy, busy December huh? Between the shopping, cooking, wrapping presents, going to or hosting parties, visiting families....Is that why I am down with a cold?  Pushed my myself too much I guess.  I've been so occupied that I didn't even have the time to post my own personal fun things I made this month outside of my Allrecipes.com Allstar Ambassadors Sponsored recipes....so without further ado....
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Happy Festivus! LOL. So, This month I choose two recipes from:

Personally, I felt the choices were a bit "out of the ordinary" for boxed pasta campaign.  There was duck, buffalo, pork ribs and carrot puree in a mac and cheese...I guess these poor companies can't make the home cooks happy.  Too boring or too weird for recipe choices, right?  I have to pick recipes that is going to be eaten and hopefully enjoyed!  No worries, I found some, we had a lot to choose from, I just thought some of the recipe ingredients were "out there"....I am sure some creative cooks were lovin' it.  For my first recipe I selected:

Three Cheese Tortellini with Chicken Broth
 Recipe on Allrecipes.com sponsored and by Barilla

• 1 (12 ounce) package Barilla® Three Cheese Tortellini
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 1/3 cup shredded Parmigiano cheese
• 1/2 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley

1.

Bring broth to boil. Add tortellini and simmer for 10 minutes.

2.

Serve in individual bowls topped with Parmigiano cheese; garnish with parsley.

Easy Peasy!
Before I did this recipe I did read the reviews.  Many commented on how bland it was.  You cooked the tortellini in chicken broth. Threw in some parsley and parm.  How jazzy can it taste with four ingredients?  Here's what I did to bump it up...

Cook's Notes:
1. I used the spinach and ricotta filled tortellini instead of the 3 cheese.
2.  I used Chicken Stock instead of broth.
3.  I tasted the finished product....ugh, bland.
3.  I added 1/4 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp. onion powder.  Definitely better!
4. Add chopped BASIL instead of parsley.  BANG. Delicious!
5.  Shredded fresh parmesan cheese instead of the green canned parmesan......oooey gooey, melty cheese.
6. Served to K-man, he raved.  He is normally making his own lunch from a canned soup when I am not around but when he ate this that I left behind, he was really impressed and wanted to know what new canned soup I discovered.  Of course this wasn't canned...I made it, that is why it tasted so good.
7.  If you follow this recipe as Barilla listed, please tweak it as I did.....who wants to go through the effort of making a soup for it to be bland? Always taste as you cook!

 #AllstarsBarilla

Tune in tomorrow for Gluten-Free Elbows with Mixed Mushrooms and Sausage Soup!

Enjoy!