He's Crafty...

A little toot of the old horn is sometime necessary...
Lindsey wanted some shelves for the kids room after x-mas.  So I went to HD to buy some.  I got there and like most things like this though, "$30! F-that!  I can make that!.
Then unlike most time (I think b/c Linds was not there to pull me back down to earth and remind me of my ADD and that it will never get done) This time I DID make that AND for $25 I made 2 of them!

 Finished Product.

Slow Cooked - Winter BBQ Chicken

This is a recipe from Southern Living with my adds and edits on it.  Its cooking right now and smells amazing!
~ Rub 1LBS Chicken Breasts (whole) w/
    2tsp. Salt
    2tsp paprika
    1/2tsp Garlic Salt
    1/2tsp Pepper
Add chicken into crock pot with 2T EVOO

Combine in small bowl:
1 C Coke
1/2 C Ketchup
1/3 C Brown Sugar
3T Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4C Bourbon
1/4C Tripple Sec

Pour Liquid mixture over chicken.
Slice 1 Orange and place 2 pieces over each breast

Cook on Low for 8H

Cornbread:
1 Box Glory Cornbread Mix
1 C Corn
2 Eggs
1/2C 2% Milk
 1/2 C Cheddar Cheese
S&P

Mix all and bake @400 for 15min.

 Ate this up with homemade Chow-Chow, Mayo, and some Hot and Sweet Peppers!

Planning my Trip...

To Mary's Greenhouse in McMinnville!

 http://www.marysgh.com/

I have been fighting the leaves all fall and winter long and am tired of raking them out of my shrubs.
I have decided that the perennial beds  that I have are the easiest to take care of, So I am turning my entire front yard into a Part Sun Perennial garden!

I am putting together my list.  Any suggestions of great plants I should include in a zone 6/7 climate in Part Sun/Part Shade garden please let me know!!!

Garlic Chilli Edamame

For Starters: Garlic Chili Edamame  (inspired by a visit (or 2) to Wild Ginger)
1 lb frozen edamame, in pods
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp oyster sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 1/2 tsp Stiracha Hot Chili Sauce
2 tsp vegetable oil

Cook Edamame in boiling water as directed on bag. Drain and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and chili sauce.
Heat a large wok over high heat.  When Wok is super hot add oil.
Add edamame and stirfry for 1 minute. Add sauce, and stirring frequently, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Spicy Bean Soup

1/4C Each (Soaked in water for at least 6 hours)
Baby Lima Beans
Black Eye Peas
Chick Peas
Kidney Beans
Navy Beans
Pinto Beans
Red Beans

1 Andouille Sausage cut into 1" chunks and quartered
1 Red (or green) pepper
4 cloves Garlic
1 Large Anaheim or Pablano Pepper Finely Chopped
1 Yellow Onion - Chopped
2 Carrots -Chopped
1 T Red Pepper Flakes
4 C Vegetable Stock
1 Can (24oz) Whole Tomatoes (Hand Crushed and 1/2 Drained)
2 T Tomato Paste
2 T Balsamic Vinegar
1 T Sugar
1 T Basil & Thyme
2 Bay leaves
S&P

In large pot:
Saute Onion, Garlic, Peppers, & Carrots until onions are transucent.
Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil.  Simmer for 2.5 to 3 hours.

Creaping on Jesus

Crock Pot BBQ and Fried Dill Pickles

 BBQ
1 Boston Butt Roast
1/2 Jar of Marinade (I always use Hickory Marinade from Publix)
1/2 Small yellow onion
1/2 Coke
Add all to a Crock Pot and cool High for L for 8 Hours

I have been craving fried dill pickles for some time now.  Thought I would take a shot at it and come up with something with what we have in the fridge.

Dill Pickles
2 Eggs
Worcestershire sauce (1T)
Garlic Powder (couple of shakes)
Hot Sauce (couple of good shakes)
Limon Juice (1T)
Fish Fry Mix

Drain Pickles and whisk eggs Worcestershire, garlic powder, Lemon, Hot sauce and pour into jar with pickles

Let sit in fridge for a bit

Drain and dredge pickles in Fish Fry Mix.
Fry in Cast Iron Skillet until brown.  Enjoy!