Beer Can Roast Beef Stuffed Burgers with Bacon Recipe

Yes...you read that right. Amazing right? No it isn't low calorie, heart friendly, vegan, or for the faint of heart. But damn.....it looks good. :)


Sliced Roast Beef Stuffed Burgers with Bacon- Video

Growing Chile's Tips and Tricks-

This is a very straight forward video on how to grow Chile's from seed. I don't normally do this. I buy the started plants. But? I have grown them from seed and it is very easy. A tip to growing Chile's in a pot once the plant has been established or you have purchased one? A darker color pot (black or dark colored) will keep the soil warmer. Chile's like that. Remember if you are growing anything in containers you will need to water them frequently or make sure the soil stays moist in a spot that can get the rain. I have even grown Chile's indoors by a sunny window to always have fresh peppers. Don't forget to stop by the Chileman's website (link below). Everything you have ever wanted to know about Chile's, growing Chile's, and using Chile's is on his site. Easy stuff. Good luck! 

Growing Chile's From Seed- Video

Growing Chile's Guide- Fantastic Website on Chile Peppers!

Sweet & Spicy Thai Chile Sauce Recipe- Video

This recipe is a very similar recipe to the Garlic Chile Sauce recipe but it has vinegar in it and will be water bath processed. You will be able to watch as she goes through the steps to process the jars and how you can do it. Sometimes it's much easier to get started when you can watch someone else first. So I hope this helps! Plus the recipe is yummy!


Sweet & Spicy Thai Chile Sauce

Garlic Chile Asian Hot Sauce Recipe

This is a recipe that would be closer to Sriracha than Tabasco. This recipe will have to be processed in a pressure cooker however due to the low acid classification. IF you don't want to can/preserve this? You could make a fresh batch and then stick it in your fridge. The shelf life would be much shorter. It wouldn't be sealed? But I am sure it would be just as awesome!

Spicy Garlic Chile Hot Sauce Recipe-Video

Canning Hot Sauce-Video

This is a simple and short video so you can see how easy it is to make and process your own Hot Sauce. Because this is considered a high acid food you will be using your water bath canning method. If you are making a hot sauce that is NOT vinegar based or is a lower acid sauce you will want to use your Pressure Cooker for the canning method. Please get familiar with the different types of high/low acid foods and preserving methods. If you would like you can go through previous posts by clicking on the Canning label at the bottom of this post. All canning posts that have been made on this blog will be shown.


Salsa Roja Canning Video

Simple Hot Sauce Recipe- Canning & Preserving

Chile's are incredibly robust growers and very easy to harvest as well. Once these plants take off you will have more than enough Chile Peppers to last you all Summer long and into Fall. I have even had Chile Peppers still putting out with a light snow on them! So what to do with all of those Chile Peppers? Here is a great way to preserve them. You can also dehydrate them...but we will get into that later on. For right now? Lets focus on making a simple but flavorful Hot Sauce. This recipe is similar to most vinegar based hot sauces like Tabasco.

Basic Hot Sauce Recipe

Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Donuts Recipe

I think these may have to be made before the weekend is over. Seriously. The flavor combination of chocolate and peanut butter is one of my absolute favorites!

Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Donuts Recipe

Salted Caramel & Chocolate Covered Marshmallows-

As you can tell I am a big fan of caramel and chocolate together. Its lovely.....

Salted Caramel & Chocolate Covered Marshmallows

Salted Caramel Fudge Cake Recipe

SO. MUCH. YES!!!!

Salted Caramel Fudge Cake Recipe

Heirloom Tomato Recipes-Pinterest

Some Varied Recipes With Heirloom Tomato-

Types of Heirloom Tomatoes

There are many types of Heirloom's. They are strong strains of Tomato and wonderful to grow.


Types of Heirloom Tomatoes

Growing Heirloom Tomatoes-

I love Heirloom Tomatoes. I grow them every Summer and the Purple Cherokees are one of my go to plants. They are gorgeous and the flavor is divine. Wonderful in marinated Tomato salad or just thick slices with salt and pepper. Nothing can beat home grown garden Tomatoes! I am going to focus on Heirloom Tomatoes today. :)


Heirloom Tomatoes- A Brief Article

Churro Doughnut Recipe- Need I Say More?

This is something that I would like to make very soon! Man these look great.


Churro Doughnut Recipe

Blues Music Makes The Soul Happy!

My latest Podcast for Fallmoon Radio. It focuses on the music of Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey. Blues music is one of those things that can truly connect to the soul. Hope you like it! One of my favorite things to do is turn on some music and cook in my kitchen. It truly is better than therapy for me.

Tain't Nobody's Bizness But My Own-The Ladies Of Blues

Make a Green Bean Tee Pee-

This is a really good idea for those with kids who have space restrictions. The kids will love watching as the tender vines start to cover your Tee Pee and they will love spending time inside their little shaded hiding spot on a hot day. Give it a try. It is a lot of FUN!

*They use Bamboo for the poles. You can use anything that is sturdy and tall for the vines.


Assembling A Green Bean Tee Pee-Video

Growing Green Beans Tips & Tricks- Video

Here is a short but sweet video for growing pole beans. If you have any questions about Pole Beans & Bush Beans? The name is pretty self explanatory. Pole Beans require something to grow on and will climb. Bush Beans normally do not.


Growing Green Beans Tips & Tricks- Video

How and When To Harvest Green Beans From Your Garden-Video

How and When To Harvest Green Beans From Your Garden

Pickled 3 Bean Salad Recipe

I know many people LOVE 3 Bean Salad. My Mom is one of those people. This is another simple canning recipe and would be great for bumper crops of Green Beans. This is also a water bath canning method recipe which makes it easy to prepare. The jars looks beautiful when you are done and make wonderful gifts for those that you love.

Pickled 3 Bean Salad Recipe

Dilled Green Beans Recipe

This is a great old school recipe for Dilly Green Beans. These have tons of flavor and they are just as easy to make as pickles. This particular recipe is going to be a water bath canning method because it is a high acid food. So the skill level is easy and this is great for beginners. Dilled Green Beans can be eaten just like Pickles and they are great on a relish plate or as a snack.


Dilly Green Beans Recipe- Step By Step

Canning Green Beans

One of the first things I learned to can was fresh Green Beans. I grow them pretty much every year in the garden and they are a very easy to grow if they have the room to climb and spread out. The first year I grew them the ground hogs discovered they loved Green Beans and wiped them out in two days. SO if you do have critters around you may want to keep an eye on your garden. I love to add these wonderful green beans with Ham Hock and let them simmer with Onion & Garlic. It's wonderful on a cold Winter Day! But they are great on their own as well. I do not cook or blanch my green beans before putting them into the jars. The pressure cooker process will cook them and I like them to retain some of their texture. If you are using these green beans to something that will be cooked for long periods of time I would suggest adding them later on in the process and just warming them through. Growing Italian Green Beans is also wonderful. They are my favorite Green Bean to eat and cook with! Some other great Green Beans to grow for canning are Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans and Burpees Stringless Green Beans. These are both considered Heirloom Green Beans.

Some Information on Green Beans

Canning Green Beans Video (Ball Canning )

Ball Canning Step By Step Guide

Marigold and Honey Soap Recipe

Yes, it says soap. :) I love creating things for my family. From food to soap it always makes me feel more in touch with who I am and those I love when I can create something from nothing. There are many different molds and easy melt and pour soaps out there to experiment with. You can order essential/fragrance oils online or find them in most health food/apothecary stores. Remember that a little fragrance can go a long way. Make sure before you use anything in terms of the oil that it is safe to use for skin contact.  Use a vintage muffin tin for a rustic mold. I have even used small vintage butter molds for soap making. It always turns out charming.


Marigold and Honey Soap w/Oatmeal Recipe

Loaded Baked Potato Salad Recipe

This is a recipe that I never can make enough of. It goes so fast! It has all the flavors of a loaded baked potato but served in a chilled potato salad.  I have people ask me for the recipe each and every time I make it. Yummy!



Calculate Using One Med. Sized Potato Per Person- Boil Potatoes Until Fork Tender but NOT falling apart.
* I use Yukon Gold or Red Potatoes. You can of course use what ever you prefer.
Chopped and Cleaned Green Onions- 1 1/2-2 Cups
Sharp Cheddar Cheese- 1-2 Cups
* I have also used Monterey Jack and Pepper Jack Cheese
Smoked Bacon Cooked and Crumbled- 1-2 Cups
Sour Cream- I would start with a cup and then go from there until you reach the desired creaminess. *If you find that it needs to be creamier add a half cup of mayo as well.
Salt and Pepper
Garlic Powder To Taste

Add cooled and cubed potatoes into a large bowl with sour cream/mayo mixture. Add cheese, onion, and Bacon. Mix well. Add spices to taste. Taste. If it needs more cheese? Add it. If it needs anything? Go ahead and throw it in there. It wont hurt a thing. Sprinkle any remaining cheese and Green Onion over the top. Sprinkle with some Paprika if desired. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Allow to chill for at least an hour. This is just a basic guideline to start off with. Enjoy!

Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Sauce Recipe

This is a very good recipe. I do not use Ketchup mainly due to the fact that I don't want all the sugar in it. I add Splenda and use tomato sauce. I use the Splenda Brown Sugar blend for the rest. If you do not want to use Bourbon? You can substitute with real vanilla extract. Please DO NOT use a 1/2 cup. Use a few Tbsp. first. Taste it. If you would like more? Add it. You can of course make your own changes when preparing. BBQ sauce is best when made before hand and allowed to cool down. Let it sit in your fridge and hang out for a days so the flavors can get happy. If you would like to can this BBQ Sauce? You would be using a water bath canning method due to the high acidity in it. I would suggest putting this in smaller serving jars as well. Remember you arent going to have all of the preservatives after its opened. So only use the size of jar you know you and/or your family will use. This is good stuff!


Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Sauce

Chipotle Dry Rub Recipe

I use dry rubs all the time when grilling. I have used this recipe before and its very good. I will rub a nice rack of ribs down, wrap them up in saran wrap, and let them sit overnight in the fridge. Ditto with chicken and pretty much anything else. Its easy to make your dry rub and its a lot cheaper than what you buy in the stores. An added bonus is you know exactly what is going into it and it isn't full of cheap fillers. 

Chipotle Dry Rub Recipe

Ranch Style Beans Recipe-

I make a very similar recipe frequently in my house. This is a very basic recipe to get you started. You can add or take out anything you want and over time make it your own. I love them! This is a great side for a weekend grilling out. These can even be made in a big pit over an open fire during camping or on the grill. If you make them on the grill I would suggest buying canned beans rather than dried. But canned will work as well in a pinch. Drain canned beans in a colander and give them a gentle rinse to get rid of the thick starchy gel that happens from the heat during the canning process. It makes it taste a lot better as well. I add Cumin and smoked Chile powder to mine.. If you dont want to make this as a side but a main meal? Add any leftover meat you may have to these. I have used everything from Ham to Brisket. Chicken and Hamburger are wonderful as well! It doesnt matter and its a great way to use leftovers.  I also like mine on the spicy side. So I add Jalapeno and/or Habanero to my beans. If you don't like things spicy? Omit it.

Ranch Style Beans Recipe

Smoked Texas Brisket-Video

Brisket is the Mac Daddy of smoked meats without doubt. I love smoked Brisket. Its great served on sandwiches..plain...whatever works for you. Add some ranch beans and a salad? You have one heck of a fantastic meal.


Smoked Texas Brisket-Video

Easy Smoked Ribs-Video

This is a short video that goes through a step by step process for smoking Ribs. Its a really great and easy guide. This is incredibly satisfying for anyone new to smoking meat.


Simple Smoked Ribs-Video

Smoking Meat For Beginners-Video

Smoking For Beginners

DIY: Build A Great Smoker With Readily Available Materials-

I love smoking meat. It provides a wonderful deep flavor to whatever you have chosen for your culinary masterpiece. This is a very simple DIY project for a smoker that you can assemble in no time and its made with easy to find materials. So get busy! You will love it.


Step By Step Guide To Building A Smoker

Happy Sunday! You Need Some Pancakes!

So as I was lazily scanning through recipes this morning I came across this one. I love pancakes. I truly do.  My favorite way to eat pancakes is with Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips. I call it the Reese's Pancake Slam. The recipe I am posting? Looks just as awesome. Enjoy!

Chocolate Coconut Pancakes with Rasberries

Homemade Seasoning Salt Recipe

Here is another basic recipe that would be good to experiment with for all kinds of dishes.  Get busy and go find some good sea salt and spices. You will be the envy of all your neighbors. Well...maybe not all of your neighbors. Your Mom will be impressed though. :)


Homemade Seasoning Salt Recipe

Homemade Herb Salt Recipe-

I make a variation of this for Fallmoon Farms. It is a big seller for me when grilling season amps up. Mine is made with herbs and Habanero as well. This is a great base recipe to get you started. When you figure out what you would like to add? Experiment and find your own groove!

 *A warning about the Habanero Herb Salt. When mixing the Habanero with the salt? Wear gloves. And DON'T touch your face or eyes. Trust me. It is not fun. Also if you are adding Habanero remember to use dried Habanero and make it into a chile powder first. A little goes a long way so taste it as you go along.


DIY Homemade Herb Salt Video-

Some Music For A Lazy Afternoon-

Crosby Stills & Nash- Full Album (1969)

Chopping & Prepping Fresh Herbs- How To Video

I thought I would post a short little video about prepping fresh herbs for cooking. Enjoy!


Prepping Fresh Herbs-How To Video

3 Ways To Preserve Your Herbs For Storage-

So now that you have your herb garden started what to do with the herbs once you pick them? Well you can dehydrate them and they will keep for a very long time. We will cover freezing herbs later on. Right now we are going to focus on 3 methods for dehydration. You can preserve your Herbs in the oven, air drying, or in a dehydrator. You can purchase glass or plastic bottles almost everywhere. I save my plastic seasoning bottles when they are empty. Wash them in hot soapy water and you can reuse them over and over. After preserving your Herbs make sure you store them in a cool dark place.


How To Preserve Your Garden Herbs-

Starting An Herb Garden For Beginners-

For those that may be new to gardening an Herb Garden is a really satisfying way to make you feel like a gardening pro in no time. I am going to post more than one link to read through. We will cover starting an Herb garden from seed, starting an Herb garden in containers indoors, and growing an Herb garden outside with live plants. Herbs love a sunny spot where they can stretch out and grow. A nice window shelf indoors works wonders and a nice pot out on a sunny patio does great as well. You don't need to have tons of space to grow one of these herb gardens. You will find yourself snipping a few leaves off every time you cook. Fresh herbs are wonderful in sauces, soups, roasted chicken, and many more recipes. Use your imagination. The one tip I will give you is that Herbs are used before they bolt (i.e. Before they flower). You want to use the tender leaves of your Herb plants for best results in terms of flavor. Once a plant flowers it can change the flavor. So don't worry about clipping off leaves on a regular basis. You will get the best results from your plants. If you would like to save the seeds from a particular plant? allow it to flower/go to seed and save them for later sowing.

Growing Herbs From Seed

Starting An Indoor Herb Garden

17 Tips For Starting Your Herb Garden

15 Free Downloadable Labels For Canning

Custom labels are really awesome when giving canned goods as gifts. They have lots of free labels out there in the virtual world if you would like to print them out yourself. I thought I would start with 15 free cute patterns to get you started.


15 Free Downloadable Labels For Canning

Carrot Cake Jam Recipe- YUMMY!

This is one that I will be trying soon! It looks divine and I bet it tastes wonderful! I love Carrot Cake...this would be fantastic on bagels or toast wouldn't it? Really easy Jam recipe as well. Nothing to fussy or complicated. :)


Carrot Cake Jam

Blueberry Jam Recipe

Homemade Jam is wonderful on toast or to give as gifts. Fruit Jams and Jellies taste incredible and you can make them preservative free and sugar free as well. If you have questions about using Splenda or something alone those lines please read this guide to Canning With Splenda. One of the wonderful things about making Jam is it is a great way to start canning and preserving for beginners. Go to your local Farm Market to find fresh fruit that is in season. Or pick it yourself from your own Garden.

Blueberry Jam Recipe

Using The Labels On This Blog-

I know many of you would like to peruse through one particular subject at times while visiting my blog. At the bottom of each post you will see that the post has been labeled into a particular category. To access all of the posts in just that category? Click on the label/genre you would like and it will pull up every post in that genre for you to read through. :) It makes it very easy to navigate when looking for something particular and it saves time as well.

DIY Rose Water

Rose water has been around for hundreds of years. Many generations of women have made this lovely sweet smelling water to liven up their boudoir! I haven't made this in a few years due to the fact that I do not currently have a Rose garden to pick from. But if you do? Why not make this for your own boudoir as well.


DIY Rose Water

How Much To Pick and/or Buy For Canning Guide-

This is a great little guide to help you figure out how much you are going to need when canning. It helps take the guesswork out of what is going on and how much you are going to have when you are all finished. :)


How Much To Pick for Canning Guide-

Homemade Tomato Juice Recipe

Homemade Tomato juice is really great for bumper tomato crops. I know it seems like it takes a lot of work. But it really doesn't. Just take a weekend and enjoy yourself. In this particular recipe it calls for straining the tomatoes through cheesecloth. I myself do not do this. I use a plastic colander and let it drain. I like the thicker Tomato sauce so really it is of personal preference. Try it both ways and see what you like best.  One of the things to remember with Tomatoes is that they can react to metal due to the high acid in them. Hence the plastic colander.

Tomato Juice Recipe For Canning

Canning Tomatoes: A Step by Step Guide

Canning tomatoes is a really rewarding process for me. I have done it for years and I always love to see my jars lined up full of my Summer bounty. This guide is directly from Ball and it will show you just how easy it really is. *As a side note: If you are adding ANYTHING to these tomatoes like peppers or onions please DO NOT USE the water bath canning process. Adding other items to the Tomatoes can change the Ph balance and you do not want that. So be on the safe side. You can add spices and other veggies later on after opening.

I use these tomatoes for just about everything. Enchilada sauce, spaghetti sauce, chili, and so much more. So give it a try! You will not be sorry. :)

Canning Tomatoes: A Step by Step Guide

Epic Food Battle

The Swineapple!? That's A Real Thing?

Yes. So stand back small children and those who do not know how to operate a smoker. I? Am going in. All of the items have been purchased. The Hickory chips are waiting to be opened and for the next 5 hours we shall focus on making the best smoked Swineapple this California girl can make.  * A Disclaimer: I know I sound like I know what the hell I am doing? I am a pretty savvy cook, But at this point with the Swineapple? I just want it to turn out better than the picture. :)

What is a Swineapple? It is a fresh whole Pineapple that has been cored and the outside has been cleaned and skinned. It is then stuffed with marinated boneless pork ribs or pork tenderloin. After the pineapple is stuffed (Giggity) then the whole thing is wrapped in bacon and smoked. For 5 beautiful hours until everything is crispy. juicy. wonderful. and awesome.  This is my cooking project for today. Let the Swineapple fest begin! 

I'll Get By...As Long As I Have You.......Billie Holiday

Yes...I am a proud Jazz fan. I listen to it daily and it makes me happy no  matter how down I am or what kind of day I may be having. Music is the tonic that can certainly soothe a troubled soul. I thought I would share one of the best tonics for any troubled soul....Miss Billie Holiday. So get your Jazz hands ready and your cooking face on. We are going to have a very sassy day!!

A Night With Billie Holiday-

DIY Gift Baskets For Any Occasion-

I have made gift baskets many times for gifts and I know they are always greeted with great appreciation. The good thing about gift baskets? They can be tailored to the person you are making them for and they can be made very inexpensively. So it looks like you spent a lot of time with assembly and creating but it really is a simple task. Anything to make our dollar stretch a little further and bring some joy to the ones we love as well. A great gift basket is one with all of your fabulous canned goods! Jams..Jellies...Pickles...BBQ Sauces? They will always be a big hit. So  give it a try!

20 Great Gift Baskets For Any Occasion-

Spicy Fish Taco Bowls.YUMMY~!

I love grilled fish tacos. In fact I still make them in my Midwest home. I grew up in Southern California and we all knew what a great fish taco tasted like! I found this recipe while looking for something else and thought it would be a delicious Taco Bowl. I will state however? I am not a fan of Tilapia. Throw some Mahi Mahi on this? and I am good. Enjoy!

Spicy Fish Taco Bowl-

50 Awesome DIY Jar Crafts-

I have a confession (shhhh. Don't let my secret out) I am an avid Jar collector. Old jars, new jars, colored jars, and clear jars. It matters not to me. I love finding some cool Jar at a Flea Market and turning it into a vintage candle holder or something country crafty. I have found that many people love to get Jar gifts as well. So look through these Jar crafts! There are some wonderful ideas! I am working on the soap dispenser for my bathroom as I type this.  :)

50 AWESOME DIY JAR CRAFTS-