Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken

•3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
•3 tablespoons corn starch
•1 clove garlic
Sauce
•½ teaspoon fresh grated ginger
•4 cloves garlic
•½ teaspoon chili flakes
•⅓ cup apple juice
•2 tablespoons honey
•¼ cup brown sugar
•¼ cup ketchup
•3 tablespoons cider vinegar
•¼ cup water
•¼ cup Bourbon
•¼ cup soy sauce

1.Mix all sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
2.Place chicken in slow cooker, pour sauce over top. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours or on high 3 hours.
3.Remove chicken and chop into bite sized pieces. Strain liquid and place over medium high heat in a small pot. Combine 3 tablespoons water with 3 tablespoons cornstarch. Whisk into boiling sauce along with 1 clove minced garlic. Stir until thickened.
4.Pour over chicken pieces in the slow cooker and stir. Serve over rice.

Easter Story Cookies

Story Cookies

To be made the evening before Easter (with older children). You can do this with younger children and leave out some of the information that they are not ready for.

1 c whole pecans
3 egg whites
1 c sugar
wooden spoon
Bible
1 t vinegar
pinch salt
zipper baggie
tape

1. Preheat oven to 300 (This is important, don't wait until you are half done with the recipe). Place pecans in zipper baggieand let children beat them with wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
2. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 t into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
3. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27
5. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
6. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity of God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:13.
7. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoonful on wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven. Close the oven door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
9. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
10. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

Easter Story Cookies

Story Cookies

To be made the evening before Easter (with older children). You can do this with younger children and leave out some of the information that they are not ready for.

1 c whole pecans
3 egg whites
1 c sugar
wooden spoon
Bible
1 t vinegar
pinch salt
zipper baggie
tape

1. Preheat oven to 300 (This is important, don't wait until you are half done with the recipe). Place pecans in zipper baggieand let children beat them with wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
2. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 t into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
3. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27
5. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
6. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity of God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:13.
7. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoonful on wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven. Close the oven door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
9. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
10. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

Weight Watchers Bacon and Swiss Quiche

Chuy's Jalapeno Dip

 adapted from Tasty Kitchen


16 ounces Light Sour Cream
 1 package (1 Oz.) Ranch Dip Mix
2 whole large jalapenos, roughly chopped
 2 cloves garlic, minced
 1/3 cup fresh cilantro
 1 whole lime, juiced
 2-4 Tbsp milk

Combine roughly chopped jalapenos, cilantro and garlic in the food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Add lime juice, sour cream and ranch mix. Pulse until thoroughly combined. Add milk, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired thickness. Pour into serving bowl and enjoy!

4th of July menu planner

Cookies by Sweet Station

There are so many fabulous foods for the 4th and depending on the size of your party, you just might be able to have them all. Here is what comes to mind when I think of America's Birthday:

grilled meat such as ribs, burgers, hot dogs, steak, etc...
potato salad
corn on the cob
chips and dip
watermelon
apple pie
s'mores
homemade ice cream

firecrackers
bark
red, white, & blue popsicles
red, white, & blue trifle

This post is a work in progress...more to come....
Hosting a party? Here are some tips:
Plan on buying some decorations at the Dollar Tree:
plates, napkins, utensils, flags, glow bracelets & necklaces
tablecloth


Going somewhere to watch fireworks? Some things you may want to take along:
chairs
ice chest with drinks
snacks (red, white, & blue popcorn, bark)
games while waiting
CD of Patriotic music
glow necklaces/bracelets
temporary tattoos
bug repellant

Pat Neely's BBQ Glazed Corn

Note-best if corn sits overnight in the fridge!