Full Plate Thursday Where The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather Welcome to Full Plate Thursday, I sure am glad to see you today.  We had such an awesome week here at the Cottage last week with the surprise birthday party for my husband, we got to visit with lots of family, it was a very special time for us. Many thanks to all of you for your sweet birthday wishes for him, he just loved every comment, and so did I of course.   Come on back to the upstairs patio, we are having our party by the Rose Garden today, and I can't wait to see what you have brought to share today.  Lets get all this food on the table, its time to eat.   Because I was so busy with my husbands weekend party last week your page view's filled the plate last week, and this is how you filled that plate!  This Is How You Filled Your Plate Last Week Crock Pot Butter Chicken    at Stacy Makes Cents South of The Border Spaghetti   at Sara Howe Impossibly Ea...

I am so excited to participate today in a new party,  Food of The World with Diane at Simple Living and Eating.  We will be visiting a different country every month and taking a look at their customs and food.  Our first stop is Spain, and what a fun country to start with.  For our first stop I am presenting a very popular Tapa from Spain, Catalan Aubergine. Tapa's are a great tradition in Spain, it is believed that the founder of the Tapa's tradition was King Alfonso the 10th. He actually issued a decree that Taberna's (bars) serve a little food with each glass of wine, what a great idea he had.  Tapa's are no longer required by law in Spain, however it it a custom and tradition that the Spaniards have not intention of giving up.   The custom is to visit several Taberna's in an evening sipping wine and nibbling the wonderful Tapa's that are lining the bar tops. The Catalan Aubergine Tapa that I am presenting today is a common starter in Spain th...

We are invited to an Island Luau over the holiday and I was asked to bring cupcakes.  I changed a basic cupcake recipe that I use and came up with this awesome blend of a suggestion that we might be on an Island.    I always like to try a recipe a couple of times before I take it to an event and this is a great cupcake that my husband and grandson just loved, and I enjoyed them so much we are sharing them with you today. Tropical Cupcakes Tropical Cupcakes Miz Helen's Kitchen 2 Dozen Cupcakes Ingredients The Cupcakes 2 cups all purpose flour, sifted 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 eggs 1/2 cup vegetable oil 3/4 cup coconut milk 1 teaspoon coconut extract 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained, reserving 3 tablespoons of the liquid for the frosting The Frosting 3 cups confectioners sugar 1 cup butter, room temperature 2 teaspoons coconut extract 3 tablespoons reserved pineapple juice 1 tablespoon heavy...

What an exciting week end we are having.  We are surprising my precious husband with a Birthday Party this afternoon.  He has no idea that many of our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will be at the party to honor him.  Our daughter that lives in the city will be hosting the Bar B Que and Pool party that we have been planning for several months. We will be saying Happy Birthday to the most precious guy, he has been my best friend, adoring husband, loving father, cherished Grandfather and Great Grandfather, it is our joy to honor him today! Happy Birthday My Love The Menu Sunday Continuing The Birthday Celebration Family Hosted  In The City Brunch Monday Back Home  Herb White Bean Soup Corn Muffins de Provence Granny Apple Pie   Tuesday Italian Chicken and Pasta Salad Dilly Bread Left Over Apple Pie Wednesday Hamburger Casserole Soup Tossed Green Sal...

Full Plate Thursday Where The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather We are having a very exciting week here at the cottage and I am so happy that you can join us for this special time.  Our family is planning a big surprise birthday party for my wonderful husband, it is starting on Thursday night and will last all weekend.  The big party is on Saturday, but the guest will begin to arrive on Thursday, he has no idea and it is going to be so much fun!  Come on in and enjoy the party with us, I can't wait to see what you are bringing to share with us today.  Because I will be busy with family this week you will be filling the plate next week with your page views, I can't wait to see how you fill the plate! Happy Birthday My Love This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week  Breakfast Fluffy But Crunchy Waffles    at Modern Christian Homemaker Papaya Juice with Lime   at Food Corner Morning Snack Cookie Butter Frosted Pumpkin Bars ...

We grow so many wonderful herbs and vegetables in our garden every year.  We enjoy the harvest from our garden the year round. Of course we have fresh vegetables on the table as long as they are producing and we share with friends and neighbors, then we preserve the rest of the harvest.  I admit we are so spoiled because the taste and quality of the vegetables does not compare to vegetables that have been shipped in from another part of the country or another country.  I am sharing with you today some of the wonderful foods that have come from our Garden to our Table this spring and summer. Garden To Table It All Starts With The Garden A Breath of Spring     April Garden Tour     June Garden Tour     Then It Comes To The Table Butternut Squash Spaghitti Suace     Fire Roasted Tomato Soup     Collard Greens     Canned Salsa     Zu...

The last weekend of the summer season is usually a really big weekend here at the lake, but this year our lake is so low we can't even get our boats on the water.  Although we won't be playing on the lake the pool is still a great option and very inviting.  We will be entertaining a few friends for a Bar B Que and a lot of back porch visiting time, lets take a look at The Menu this is what we will be serving. Sunday Labor Day Bar B Que Smoked Texas Brisket Mustard Potato Salad Gazpacho Salad Slow Cooker Baked Pintos Corn On The Cob Cherry Pie Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Monday Brisket Sandwiches Left Over Baked Pinto's Sweet Potato Chips Summer Pickles Old Fashioned Snickerdoodles Tuesday Lemon Onion Chicken Wild Rice Steamed Broccoli Cottage Buns Left Over Snickerdoodles Wednesday From Left Over Chicken Chicken Noodle Casserole Tossed Green Salad Garlic Toast Penut Butter Snickers Che...