Pineapple Jerky

Have you ever heard of such a thing? I was approached by Jerky.com to give it a try.

Honestly I didn't know what I was getting. I figured it was a meat jerky with a pineapple flavor. Boy was I wrong! AND VERY PLEASANTLY SURPRISED!!

This what I got:
This is BETTER than candy!!! It is tender and chewy, sweet but not too sweet!

What I’m most impressed about this product is the ingredients list. Pineapple and honey. That’s it. Which is very cool considering the long lists of weird ingredients you can't pronounce that you find on most snack packages these days. Plus the pineapples are from beautiful Maui in Hawaii so they must be good for you!

I am amazed by the products that they have on their website! Not just Beef Jerkey, but Turkey Jerky and great gift baskets too!!

Check it out.

Cream of Asparagus Soup

I made this soup last night and it was so easy. I literally threw it together and made up the recipe as I went......

Cream of Asparagus Soup

Cut 1 bunch of asparagus into sections about 1-2 inches long
Boil the asparagus in about 1/2 quart of chicken stock (that's all I had left in my open box, add a teaspoon of black pepper, salt and garlic.
In a microwave safe bowl melt 1 cup of butter (I used the new "I can't believe it's not butter" squares.
Add 3/4 cup of flour to the butter and make a paste.
I added some crumbled cheese to the paste.
Ladle out about 1 cup of the stock and add it to the paste, mix to make it creamy.
When the asparagus is cooked add the flour mixutre to the pot and combine with the stock. Use a wisk.
I added about 2 cups of milk to the mixture to get it to the right consistency.


There you have it. I was very easy and VERY GOOD!!!! My kids cleaned their bowls.

I met Marrdy!!!!!

I had a really fun photo shoot on Tuesday! I got to meet Marrdy and her beautiful daughter Madison. Marrdy is so SWEET!!! She gave me my gift from her Pay-It-Forward post!!! Look at these beauties!!! Madison & my soft afghan!!!

Hey Marrdy I am starting to work on Madison's pictures tonight!!!

Happy Anniversary!!

I just want to thank my sweetie for 14 great years!! We have been through a lot and I can't imagine not having you in my life!!!

Save Money -- Join a Co-op

For the last several months I have been taking part in a couple of co-ops in an effort to provide more healthy options in our diets.

A co-op is a group of people purchasing items together and taking advantage of the savings that comes with bulk purchasing..... buying power......

My first co-op experience was with a small group of families from our neighboorhood. The reasons that I am no longer part of this co-op is that I was a bit unhappy with the quality of the produce we were getting and at times I ddi not feel like I was getting my money's worth.

The second co-op that I tried and that I will for sure be sticking with is the Crossroads Community Co-op. This co-op is statewide and gives you a little flexibility in the items you order. Not only does this co-op have produce but also meats, breads, rice and a selection of Utah's Own products. This co-op is monthly.

Here is a link to my friend Norah's blog. In April I got almost the same items that she got except I only got 5 tamales and I also got a package of Colosimo's Brats.

May will be my 3rd month doing this co-op.

Another co-op that I just tried for the first time yesterday is called Bountiful Baskets. They are really big in Arizona and just getting started in Utah. Their standard basket is always just $15 and includes lots of produce. I did add an Asian Food add on for an extra $7.50.

Again here is another link to Norah's blog. She does a great job at listing everything that is included.

So there you have it.... another great idea for saving money!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I just want to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all you amazing women!!!

I want to send out special hugs to those of you who desperately wish to be mothers and are struggling with fertility issues!! I have been there and I know how difficult today might be for you!

Photography updates......

I am officially booked for MAY!!! I can't believe how much fun I am having!

I have just updated my photography blog and you can also see slide shows with all of my photo shoots on my photoshop page.

Crab Stuffed Shrimp --- and a winner!!!

“Crab Stuffed Shrimp” --- this recipe was given to me by OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE!!!

Stuffing:

¼ pound Butter
¼ pound Diced Onion
¼ pound Diced Celery
1 ½ tsp.Chopped Garlic
2 Tbs. Sliced Green Onions
¼ tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. Black Pepper
1/8 tsp. White Pepper
1 cup Bread Crumbs
¼ pound Lump Crab Meat

1. Place sauté pan over medium heat. Place butter in the pan and allow to melt.
2. Place onions, celery, garlic, green onions, and seasonings in pan and cook
for 6-8 minutes.
3. Place mixture into a blender and blend for 20 seconds. Caution: Mixture will be HOT.
4. Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl adding bread crumbs and drained crab meat. Fold in
with a spatula until blended.

Lemon Pepper Butter:

½ cup Water
2 Tbs. Flour
1 ½ Tbs. Lemon Juice
½ pound Butter
1 tsp. Lemon Pepper Spice

1. Combine water, lemon juice, flour and seasonings in a sauce pan.
2. Over high flame, whisk until mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
3. Slowly add softened butter in small amounts until all is blended.

Cooking Shrimp:

1. Butterfly shrimp.
2. Place flour in a container and toss shrimp until completely coated.
3. Deep fry shrimp at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 minutes.
4. Place 1 Tbs. of hot stuffing onto each cooked shrimp.
5. Drizzle 1 Tbs. of Lemon Pepper Butter over each shrimp.

Serve and Enjoy!!!!!


AND THE WINNER OF THE GIFT CARD IS.............. THE ALLEN FAMILY
I picked them randomly using www.random.org

Photography updates......

I just wanted to share my new photography website with everyone Sherri Jamieson Photography. It is still a work in progress.

While you are there you can see a slide show under the "Couples in Love" section of a super cute couple that photographed this week!!!

Let's Go Outback Tonight!!! GIVEAWAY

Yummy Yummy!!! Last night we went to Outback for dinner and it was so good!!! We hadn't been their for several years, I think because we thought it was expensive.....BUT.......... Holy Cow it's not very expensive at all!!! They recently redid their menu and they have 15 entrees that are now $15 of less.... These are good things too!!! Prime Rib, Steak, Chicken, Ribs, and Fish.... all under $15!!!

Here are a couple highlights.....
• Savory Pepper Mill Steak: Thick slices of New York Strip Steak (cooked to order) encrusted with cracked black pepper and topped with a savory brandy cream sauce. Served atop golden potato wedges.
• Sweet Glazed Roast Pork Tenderloin: Sliced slow-roasted pork Tenderloin drizzled with a sweet tangy glaze. Served with garlic mashed potatoes and fresh steamed French green beans.
• Ribs and Alice Spring Chicken; a 1/3 rack of savory fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs paired with a tasty 5oz grilled chicken breast topped with bacon, honey mustard sauce, sautéed mushrooms, Monterey Jack and Cheddar. Served with Aussie Fries.
• Shrimp en Fuego: Large crispy shrimp, sliced mushrooms and fresh tomatoes in a spicy, creamy sauce. Paired with fresh steamed French green beans.

We had a delicious appetizer that was TO DIE FOR!!!! It's was the Crab Stuffed Shrimp.... it was ONLY $4.95!!!! I highly recommend it!!!
Guess what though... they gave me the recipe!!! Can you believe it?? It will be posted here on Monday the 13th...

I have another thing that will be poseted on the 13th --- it will be the lucky winner of a $25 Outback Steakhouse Gift Card!!!!!

You will get one entry into the drawing just for leaving me a comment here telling me who you will take with you....

You will get another entry for posting what you think you will eat at Outback....

AND you will get 2 more entries for posting a link to this giveaway on your blog!!!

Who says there's no such thing as a free dinner???