Small Wonder... Remeber this 80's sitcom??

We all have those favorite TV shows we watched growing up. I love being able to buy them on dvd and re-live a little bit of my childhood. There was this one show though, and I couldn't for anything, remember what it was. The only thing I remembered, was a girl who looked like Punky Brewster (in my mind, maybe the dark hair lol),  and she had an electronic panel in her back.  I thought maybe it wasn't even a real show or something since I had such a vague memory of it, but at the same time, it seemed like I watched it alot.

So here I am, browsing 80's and 90's stuff on Pinterest a couple weeks ago, and look what I find. A pin of Vicki the robot from Small Wonder!

Needless to say, I was geeked to finally solve this mystery! I rushed to ebay and bought the first season on dvd and couldn't wait for it to arrive. Well, we've had it for a few days now and Ella is hooked. She won't stop watching it! I have to say after all these years, I still love this show. It is super cheesy just like most 80's sitcoms were! The special effects are hilariously dumb and the characters are loveable.  It's a trip seeing all the old 80's stuff... toys, appliances, clothes, hairstyles, etc! Love it!

Short description from Wikipedia:

Small Wonder is an American science fiction sitcom that aired in first-run syndication from September 7, 1985 to May 20, 1989. The show chronicles the family of a robotics engineer who, after he secretly creates a robot modeled after a real human girl, tries to pass it off as their daughter.

Here is the intro song!

And you can't forget the little redhead nosy neighbor from next door, Harriet!

What were your favorite 80's or 90's sitcoms?? Have you bought any on dvd??

Easy Sweet Brown Sugar Ham Steak Recipe

This old fashioned easy and tasty ham steak is great for breakfast or dinner! The brown sugar and butter combo makes a delicious sauce that goes perfectly with the salty taste of ham. This family favorite recipe is sure to be a hit!

Sweet Brown Sugar Ham Steak (Crash Hot Potato Recipe)

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Book Review: The Jakarta Pandemic by Steven Konkoly

Description from Goodreads:

THE DEADLIEST PANDEMIC FLU IN HISTORY IS BEARING DOWN ON NEW ENGLAND, AND ALEX FLETCHER HAS A BIG PROBLEM...

HIS FAMILY IS PREPARED, BUT NOBODY ELSE IS.

AS THE FLU SPREADS AND THE WINTER INTENSIFIES...

THE FOOD TRUCKS STOP, HOSPITALS TURN AWAY THE SICK, AND CITIES START TO FALL APART. POWER PLANTS WILL START TO TRIP OFFLINE WITHIN WEEKS.

ALEX'S NEIGHBORS ARE STARTING TO GET SICK, AND THEY'RE STARTING TO GET HUNGRY. SOME OF THEM ARE GETTING ANGRY...

ALEX'S PROBLEM IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE. 

My Thoughts:

WOW!!! This book is amazing! One of the best books I've read in the genre. Alex is a great main character, and he is definitely someone you'd want on your team. The pandemic flu spreads very quickly in this book and Alex has his family fully prepared to ride it out within his own home. Not everything goes according to plan and evil comes out in full force when people are desperate. This book makes you think of all of the what if's and what would you do, given a situation like this. It is real, very real, and you will be on the edge of your seat throughout most of this book waiting to see what happens next. I highly recommend you go out and buy this book ASAP if you want to read a great pandemic thriller! $3.99 for Nook and Kindle.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

 

The author's website can be found here!

Air Fryer or Oven Beef, Bean and Cheese Taquitos Recipe

These simple Air Fryer or Oven Cheesy Beef and Bean Taquitos are ready in less than 15 minutes and are great for lunch, dinner or a party appetizer! Also delicious with chicken and black beans!

Homemade Ground Beef Taco Meat Recipe

This is a recipe I came up with for homemade taco meat after trying to cut out some processed foods in our eating. It is easy and fast with lots of flavor!

Homemade Taco Meat (click here to print recipe)

You need:

1 Lb. ground beef (turkey or chicken works too!)

1/2 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 red or green pepper, chopped

1 Tbsp plus 1 1/2 tsp cumin

1 1/2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp paprika

salt and pepper to taste

1- 15oz can black beans, rinsed

Directions:

Put all ingredients except black beans into large frying pan. Cook on medium to medium high heat until ground beef is almost cooked and then add the black beans. Use with tortillas for tacos, tortilla chips for taco salad or use as filling in taquitos.

This is recipe #10 in the Pantry Challenge!

This recipe was shared at:
Taco Blog Hop at Katherine Martinelli
Recipe of the Week at Family Fresh Meals
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Wednesday Eats and Forkful of Comfort

Look What I Made at A Thrifty Mom

Grapefruit & Raspberry Bellini Recipe

The first bottle of Moscato D'Asti was used for Mixed Berry Bellinis. For the second bottle we decided to concoct our own version!! This recipe is lighter and more refreshing than the last and just as good!

You need:

1/4 c. sugar

1/2 pint fresh raspberries

1-20 oz jar Del Monte citrus salad, drained

1- 750 ml bottle Moscato D'Asti

Directions:

In the container of an electric blender, combine fruit and sugar; process until smooth.  Strain mixture, if desired. Pour fruit mixture into a serving pitcher; slowly add wine, stirring gently to combine. 

Bean and Cheese Taquitos Recipe

I'm always looking for quick and easy recipes for weeknights. This is a great tasting recipe and is super quick to make! I found this recipe at Life and Kitchen blog. I did make a few changes. Since there were only a couple of us, I just used the one can of black beans, partially smashed, and cut the recipe in half. I also left out the lime since I didn't have any.

You need:

 1 can  refried beans
1 can black beans, rinsed
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp fresh cilantro
1 lime
2 cups shredded cheese (such as cheddar, Mexican blend, etc)
~20 6″ flour tortillas
cooking spray
sea salt for topping

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

In a bowl, mix the refried beans, black beans, cilantro, and spices.  Then add the zest from the lime and the juice from half of the lime and stir.  Mix in the cheese.

Put about two tablespoons of filling lengthwise into a tortilla.  Spread it out into a strip and roll up the tortilla around it.  Place it seam side down on a baking sheet.  Repeat with all of the tortillas.

Lightly spray the tortillas with cooking spray and immediately sprinkle with sea salt.  Bake until the edges are golden brown (it took mine about 10 minutes).  Eat warm with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa for dipping.

Recipe #9 in the Pantry Challenge 2012

This recipe was shared at:
Recipe Round Up at Gooseberry Patch
Recipe of the Week at Family Fresh Meals
Weekend Potluck at Meet Penny

Mixed Berry Bellinis Made with Moscato d'Asti Recipe

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This is one amazing drink.  Let's just start off with that!

This tasty drink is pretty much great for any occasion... ladies night, Christmas, New Years, birthday celebrations, or anything in between.

I love Moscato d'Asti alone, but adding the strained berries makes it so much better! 

This is not only my favorite drink, but everyone who has tried it has loved it as well. 

You will not be disappointed! 

Have fun and enjoy!!

Recipe:

You need:

1/4 cup sugar 

1-12-ounce package frozen mixed berries, thawed

1-750 ml bottle Moscato d'Asti

Directions:

In the container of an electric blender, combine berries and sugar; process until smooth.  Strain mixture, if desired. Pour fruit mixture into a serving pitcher; slowly add wine, stirring gently to combine. 

Photos taken by:

Shannon at Speaking in Plain Shamish

Paula Deen's Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Fall is one of my favorite seasons. There's nothing like a cool breeze coming through the window after a hot summer and the smells of cinnamon, pumpkin and apple. So Cozy!

My daughter Ella and I decided to bake today. I usually don't do much baking, but with all these great recipes I have waiting to try, I decided to throw this easy recipe together! This recipe is for Pumpkin Bars and can be found on The Food Network website here. 

My helper Ella!

The color of this batter is so beautiful!

We decorated the frosting with Halloween sprinkles! Yum! It tastes so good! Cream Cheese frosting is my favorite!

Enjoy!

This recipe was shared at:
All Things Pumpkin at Part Time Housewife
It's Fall Y'all at Love Bakes Good Cakes

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bacon, Tomato, Avocado & Ham Recipe

One of the best grilled cheese sandwiches ever! Great for lunch with a bowl of soup!

So.... I'm just a little bit obsessed with grilled sandwiches right now!! I love trying different combos of ingredients. 

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bacon, Apple & Avocado Recipe

This grilled cheese is absolutely amazing!! I love the interesting combo of ingredients. The only change I made was using rye bread instead sourdough and it turned out great! I cooked the bacon the day before, so it also turned out to be a fast meal!

You need:
Sourdough Bread
Sliced Avocado
Pepperjack Cheese
Cooked Bacon
Sliced Apple
Butter

Layer all ingredients on a slice of bread, put sandwich together and butter outsides. Cook on medium-medium high heat until warmed through.

Yummy, I love all the ingredients separately and together is even better!

And this is the final shot! Beautiful, tasty and perfect!

5 out of 5 stars and then some!

Check back tomorrow for a different variation of this sandwich!

This recipe was shared at:
Manic Monday at Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen

Recipe Round Up at Gooseberry Patch

The original recipe can be found at: Jana Laurene

 

Baked Parmesan Herb Crusted Tilapia Fish Recipe

This delicious fish recipe is affordable and is such a quick dinner idea. Also great with cod or pollock. Use different herbs or seasonings with the parmesan for a different flavor every time you make it! 


Baked Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

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Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe

I tried out another new recipe today, Ground Beef Stroganoff. I found this recipe on my new favorite website Pinterest! This recipe is absolutely delicious and easy too!!

The only change I made was using a small can of mushrooms (chopped) and added them to the hamburger when it was browning. I normally use fresh, but I was all out. Next time I will be using those instead! 

What you need:

1 pound ground beef

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp butter

1 1/2 c. beef broth

1 c. sour cream

1 can cream of mushroom soup

Handful of mushrooms, chopped

3 Tbsp. flour

salt and pepper to taste

1 package egg noodles, cooked

Directions:

Bring a pot of water to boil and begin to cook egg noodles according to package directions.

In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown ground beef until thoroughly cooked. 

I like to leave chunks of ground beef and not break it up too small.

Put pan back on stove (setting aside the ground beef), add 2-3 tbsp butter and also the chopped onions and mushrooms (if using). Saute the onions and mushrooms, over medium heat, until onions are soft and then add garlic.

 Only cook for another 1-2 minutes so garlic doesn't burn.

Add flour to pan, stir and let it absorb butter. Now add beef broth and whisk vigorously to remove any lumps, turning the heat up to high, bringing it to a boil for 2-3 minutes until you see it thicken slightly.

Bring temperature down to medium and whisk in sour cream and 

cream of mushroom soup. Stir until mixture is thoroughly incorporated.

Add salt & pepper. Keep tasting mixture until it is seasoned the way you like. I probably use a good teaspoon and half or more of salt and pepper (and sometimes a bit of garlic powder, for good measure). If it gets too thick on you, just add a tad more beef broth.

Add ground beef back to mixture until reheated.

Serve over hot egg noodles.  

 

Enjoy!!

I rate this recipe 5 out of 5 stars!

This recipe was found at: The Country Cook

 

Vegetable Beef Roast Soup Recipe

I love fall! It's the start of comfort food cooking! Some of my favorite recipes are soups, so prepare for lots of posts this coming winter!

I'm late posting this, but a few weeks ago I made Slow Cooker Rosemary Garlic Beef Roast, and using the leftover roast from that, we make this yummy soup! It is a recipe you can change with what you have on hand and it turns out great every time!

Here's what you need:

Appx 1 lb. leftover shredded roast & gravy (also great with ground beef, browned)

 1 c. carrots, sliced

1 c. celery, sliced

2 c. cauliflower, chopped

3 medium red potatoes, chopped

1 package sliced white mushrooms 

10 c. beef broth

1- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

2 tsp. basil

1 c. Acini Di Pepe noodles (or any you have on hand) 

salt and pepper

Add all of the ingredients to the pot and cook on medium to medium high until veggies are tender. Season with salt and pepper as needed.

 Enjoy!