Chocolate Covered Jalapeño Stuffed Olives

Lindsay Olives and Kitchen Play partnered together for the Lindsay Olives Wild Card Progressive Party. As soon as I read about it, I knew I wanted to participate. Five food bloggers came up with 5 courses of a six-course meal leaving the sixth course up to us to create. There was no beverage and no dessert so I started there. There are many beverages which incorporate olives and I love them all, but not very many desserts, although it seems to be gaining in popularity.

I really wanted to do a chocolate covered olive, but figured that it had probably been done a thousand times over. I looked around on the web and to my surprise, there really were not any recipes or articles mentioning chocolate covered olives. So...I knew I had to make them because I couldn't get them out of my head.

Lindsay Olives provided the olives, thank you Lindsay Olives! By the way, have any of you tried the Naturals line of olives yet? I had not yet, but thought they would be perfect to dip in chocolate. Look at how lovely these olives are:

Just like the can says, they are Smooth & Buttery. They are packed in water and sea salt and nothing else. Best of all, they are not stuffed with anything so you can stuff them with anything your heart desires! I chose to stuff mine with jalapeños from my mother's garden.

Here the little beauties are waiting for their chocolate bath:

Speaking of chocolate.

In my favorite little pot, we melted the chocolate with 1 tablespoon of shortening (I used Earth Balance).

After dipping the olives, we sprinkled them with kosher salt. The Naturals olives are not terribly salty as most pickled olives are, so they needed a salty component. Place them in the refrigerator to let the chocolate solidify prior to serving.

We dipped the rest of the olives without the jalapeño so that my little ones could enjoy as well. I had plenty of volunteers to be taste testers. I found these to be a delightful little bite of dessert with a good balance between sweetness and saltiness.

Chocolate Covered Jalapeno Stuffed Olives

• 1 can of Lindsay Naturals California Green Ripe Olives
• Enough pickled jalapeños to stuff the olives
• 12 squares of Ghirardelli Intense Dark Twilight Delight Chocolate (or any other quality chocolate that you prefer)
• 1 tablespoon of shortening, I used Earth Balance
• Cocktail toothpicks, enough for how ever many olives you are dipping
• Kosher salt, enough for sprinkling the finished olives

1. Stuff the olives and then stick the toothpick through.
2. Slowly melt the chocolate and shortening over low heat, in a heavy bottom sauce pan. Stir frequently to prevent scorching or sticking.
3. Once chocolate is melted and smooth, dip each olive in the chocolate, gently shaking off excess chocolate. Place each olive on a parchment paper covered tray. Once all olives are dipped, sprinkle with kosher salt and place tray in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
4. Enjoy!

Book Review: All Things New by Lynn Austin

This was my first time reading anything written by author Lynn Austin and I was delighted with her style and the story.

All Things New is set during the time right after the Civil War. Ms. Austin does a wonderful job showing the difficult time of adjustment for each character in the book: the mistress and daughters of the plantation who have lost so much, the returning soldiers (Confederate as well as Union) and of course the Negro slaves suddenly turned freemen.

I especially appreciated the part of the story where main character Jo must decide to which authority she will submit: family, Southern culture or God. I enjoyed watching Jo's journey "back to God".

My favorite part of the story is the end where God's grace and mercy is shown through human hands and the Gospel is lived out and displayed to the lost son. I never tire of being reminded of God's grace and forgiveness.

Bravo, Ms. Austin. I would gladly read more of Lynn Austin's books.

A copy of All Things New was provided by Bethany House in exchange for my honest review, of which is entirely my own.

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

It's been a while since I've read a book that I just could not put down, but Jen Turano's novel was one of those kinds of books for me. I think it took me all of 5 days to read the book.

The main character Lady Eliza Sumner is hard not to like. The book is full of intrigue, adventure and action. By the second page, I knew it would be hard to put down.

If you have any interest in European aristocracy, you should like this book. Although I'll warn you that it is not set in Europe, but rather New York City when social standing was of the utmost importance.

The main characters fall into many mishaps while trying to reclaim Eliza's fortune, which had me giggling and thinking of them as a sort of sophisticated "Apple-Dumpling Gang". There is a very definite charm to the main characters.

I enjoyed this novel very much and highly recommend it.

Bethany House Publishers provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Relentless Pursuit by Ken Gire

I received another book from Bethany House Publishers. I always love seeing that manila envelope in the mailbox! It means another book for me to read and review.

This time it was a Christian Living book by author Ken Gire:

Relentless Pursuit, God's Love of Outsiders Including the Outsider In All of Us was intriguing to me. Don't we all feel like an outsider from time to time? I know that I do.

The book started out well with many examples from famous writers lives, including the life of C.S. Lewis. The author demonstrated well how God pursues us at a personalized pace perfect for each individual. Somewhere around the fourth chapter, the book seemed to shift it's direction and it threw my interest off course. I did manage to finally finish the book, but it felt like a little bit of a struggle for me.

One part that stuck is that I should look at the part of me that is far from God and allow God to capture and save it.

Overall, a nice book that takes a little persistence to stick with to the end.

This book was provided to me for free from Bethany House to review. The content of the review is entirely my own.

Summer Napping

Love this!

Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson

I have been enjoying a steady stream of new books to read from Bethany House Publishers and I'd like to share the opportunity with you. You too can receive review copies by visiting: HERE.

Now on to the review.

I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Tracie Peterson's Touching The Sky. This novel is set in the Civil War era which is of particular interest to me and my family. I have a nine-year-old son that knows more about that war than most adults, including me.

Tracie Peterson did a fantastic job of showing the strong feelings on both the Union and the Confederate side of the war. I was intensely attached to the characters and even felt compassion for those characters that don't hold the same political view as I do of the Civil War. It really was a tragic war and the author conveyed that very well through her characters. I especially appreciate how the main male character stood strong in his biblical convictions throughout the whole story.

I really do not like book reviews that spoil the story for future readers, so I do try to refrain from revealing too much. This is the second book in a series. I have not read the first book, but the second book certainly makes me want to read the first!

Very well done Ms. Peterson!

I was given a copy of this book to review by Bethany House Publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book Review: Unstuck

I'm finally back! This time, no food, but a book review instead.

Bethany House Publishers sent me the following book to review.

I was skeptical of this book. I don't normally read "self-help" books and I abhor what I call "psycho-babble". For the record, this is NOT a "self-help" book and I was terribly mistaken by thinking so. As for the "psycho-babble", it uses surveys and real-life stories from real people to make it's conclusions.

The most interesting thing is that the authors used surveys to compile data and they did a great job of keeping it lively, not dry as toast as so many "carefully researched" books are. I was able to relate to the authors and the people they interviewed.

This book offers more than a good read that inspires you to grow in your faith. They actually give you tools in which to do so. All the while, they never fail to keep God's word preeminent. That alone was refreshing to say the least!

I highly recommend Unstuck. Your Life. God's Design. Real Change.

The Messenger, a review.

I used to read historical novels all the time, but after children, my life became busy and reading for pleasure was put on the back burner. The Messenger was a true pleasure to read. I found it to be historically accurate and was delighted to even learn some interesting facts about the Quakers and the Revolutionary War.

I enjoyed the author's way of alternating between the two main characters: Hannah and Jeremiah. It kept it interesting and helped to see the contrast in the two characters lives and the way that it affected their perspective of the war and of each other.

If you enjoy history, suspense and a good read, you will most definitely will enjoy The Messenger.

Bethany House Publishers provided me a copy of the book to review, but these thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. If you would like to review books for Bethany House Publishers, please feel free to contact them at  www.bethanyhouse.com/bookreviewers.


Happy reading!!

Italian Fish Stew

I have never-ever-in-all-my-life, made a fish stew. Until tonight.

I WILL be making it again.

The whole family devoured the fish stew. Next time I will double the recipe!

A whole-hearted thank you goes to Aggie, Kitchen Play and the US Potato Board for introducing me to fish stew.

Here is our stew before we gobbled it all up:

I followed Aggie's recipe and it was delicious!

Beef, Potato and Vegetable Pot Pie

The children and I feasted on THIS the other night. My husband is traveling a lot with his new business right now and you know how it is when daddy isn't home to cook for...you end up eating fried egg sandwiches, raisins, yogurt and dry Cheerios most evenings!

So this was a treat:

I realize it looks more like a deconstructed pot pie and I suppose it is. In the original recipe, the biscuits are laid on top and baked. Since my diet right now is gluten-free, I decided to serve the biscuits on the side and I ate mine with a piece of toasted gluten-free bread. It was delicious. I think that the children actually preferred having the biscuit separate from the pie as a few of them love their biscuits with butter and jam.

This recipe is just one of many at the Kitchen Play Progressive Party sponsored this month by the US Potato Board. There is a wonderful giveaway and the deadline to enter is April 15th. So you still have time.

Marshmallow Pops - fun on a stick!

The children and I made these marshmallow pops to take to church on Sunday. The idea comes from Savory Sweet Life where Alice makes Rocky Road Marshmallow Pops. I wanted to make ours kid friendly (not all children appreciate nuts) so we sprinkled ours with rainbow sprinkles.

We made almost 40 of these and put them in the freezer until we were ready to travel to church. At lunch, we put the small styrofoam balls down in teacups and it made a lovely display on the dessert table. All the children loved them, and maybe an adult or two as well! There were lots of chocolate smiles that afternoon.

Hail!

We had hail on Saturday!

We couldn't believe it. The children were shoveling it and playing in it like snow!

Mashed Potato Casserole

It is such a privilege to be able to participate in Kitchen Play's Progressive Party. I learn so much each and every time I participate.

This month's sponsor is the US Potato Board. Ahhh! The lovely potato or should I say potatoes. Did you know there are 7 types of potatoes? See? I told you I learned something.

This Mashed Potato Casserole was quick to whip up and very tasty. I served it with top sirloin steak and a salad. This is a very impressive dish! All of my children were oohing all over it and saying, "WHAT is that Mom??" As impressive as it looks, it tastes equally good.

This can easily be made ahead of time and I think you should try it! Better yet, try it and join in the fun at Kitchen Play!

Gardens Alive! Giveaway

We love to garden around here and with five little mouths to feed, you can bet we plant as much garden as we can.

Right now I have 78 little tomato plants under lights. They are growing strong roots so they will be ready for the garden this Spring. There are also lots of pepper plants off to a good start!

I purchase seeds from many different seed companies, including Gardens Alive! 
Here's your chance to win $25 to spend at Gardens Alive. Head over to The Frugal Greenish Mama and enter to win!

I have Spring Fever, how about you?

Folks, This Ain't Normal Giveaway

Head over to Holistic Kid to enter this great giveaway.

We have enjoyed and gleaned much from Joel Salatin's wisdom. You can enter to win one of his books:

Apple, Pecan and Cherry Winter Salad

I really love participating in Kitchen Play's Progressive Party. Every course is a joy to make or recreate, but I do believe that I love the salad category the most! I really do love a good salad. This month's salad did not disappoint.

Bran Appetit created a lovely winter salad, which in my opinion would be a treat any time of the year.

I followed her recipe exactly and it was a delight.

Let me show you my new favorite salad mix:

I found this at Whole Foods and it is my new addiction. It boasts 5 super foods of baby greens: red and green swiss chard, tat soi, arugula and spinach. So good! I used this in the winter salad.

My husband's comment, "The cherries really make this salad." 

This coming from the man that has no knowledge that the Cherry Marketing Institute is the sponsor this month. His only job is to eat the food I create! Anyway, he really thought the cherries were the star of the salad and I agree with him. You really should try this salad!

Cherries, no longer just for pie.

I have a new love for cherries. Thanks to the Cherry Marketing Institute for sponsoring Kitchen Play's Progressive Menu this month. I now have a new fondness for all things cherry: dried cherries, frozen cherries, raw cherries and juiced cherries.

I've never tasted tart cherry juice until now - it is yummy! And did you know cherries are considered one of the "super-fruits"? This drink uses tart cherry juice and is a hit with children and adults alike.

U Try It created a Frozen Tart Cherrytini. I followed the recipe exactly and let me tell you, this is an extremely easy, spectacular drink to make and swallow. I love how she provided a non-alcoholic version as well.

Here is my Frozen Tart Cherrytini (please forgive my terrible photography skills!).

Did you notice?? NO CANNING JAR! I finally picked up some martini glasses! Fixed that problem didn't I? Now if any of you know of a food photography class, please let me know!

Back from vacation and back to cooking!

I've been looking forward to making the recipes on this month's Kitchen Play's Progressive Menu. This month's sponsor is the Cherry Marketing Institute. My only real experience with cherries is eating them raw and spitting out the pit! This is true. I promise. I am not a cherry pie fan, but you can give me a raw cherry any day of the week.

This family loves salmon so it seemed natural to try the entree first. This recipe really got me out of my grilled salmon rut.

The Tart Cherry Salsa, complete with one whole jalapeño, was out of this world! By the way, do you ever wonder what it looks like around here while I'm preparing supper? There you have it, math homework and Polly Pocket right next to Mommy's sharp knife.

The salsa, paired with a salmon filet was simple perfection. I added apples, cherries and swiss cheese on a bamboo skewer for the children's delight. It was fun!

The deadline for Kitchen Play's menu this month has been extended to March 11th, so you still have time to participate! You really should give it a try!

Guess where we've been?

Beautiful!

Time with Grandparents: Priceless!

Living a Legacy Conference

Sharing with you all today:

Living a Legacy Conference

I'm making plans to attend! Head over there and check it out!