New giveaway....Yeehaw ladies...come on over.

My new giveaway....drum roll please........

One of my favorite books, grab your favorite apron, and some cowgirl boots and sit back and read this adorable book full of ideas, recipes, cute little sayings. Have you all heard of them..Love these girls!

Mompreneurs” Serena Thompson and Teri Edwards have achieved super-success, winning a following with their family-friendly food and craft projects. In a few short years, they established an annual antiques fair, created a line of products, and became contributing editors at Country Living. And fellow Farm Chicks across the country have embraced them, inspired by their warm motto: Live Well, Laugh Often, Cook Much. Now, fans can enjoy the duo's first book, which serves up 50 tasty recipes and 19 easy projects to bring Farm Chick style to your kitchen.

They have the cutest ideas and fun recipes...not to mention that they call themselves "Farm Chicks" which won their way to my heart in the first place. Here's some examples of their cuteness.

(Hearts of palm salad...seriously on my menu)

(What an adorable idea for winter...exceptionally with kiddos)

(Ways to make something out of nothing)

(Last but not least one of my favorites picnic pies)

Here's what you do to enter:

Mandatory Entry: Follow my blog and leave a comment of what your favorite thing to cook is.
Optional Extra Entries: ( only after completing mandatory entry) You can do any or all of the following entries below for one extra entry each. Please leave a separate comment below for each one you do so I can keep track. Don’t forget to leave your email so I can contact you if you are the winner!

1. “Like” Joyfulmelody on Facebook here's the link http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joyfulmelody/176433765780276

    2.  Mention this giveaway on Facebook using the share button above.

    3. Subscribe via email or RSS feed and never miss a post or tell me you already do.

    4. Last but not least, write a post about this giveaway on YOUR blog. (Leave a link to your post.)

The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be contacted by email. Please respond within 24 hours or a new winner will be chosen

Dreamy chocolate cobbler hit the spot

So it's been cold here in Massachusetts lately which I know what you are thinking "It's the east coast of course it's cold" but just last week we were enjoying 50 degree weather, and for as much as I enjoy winter here in the east coast I was spoiled by the warm weather. So with this brisk change in weather and now freezing, (maybe something to do with being pregnant) I want warm, gooey, comforting yummies to fill my belly. I've made this before a chocolate cobbler and LOVE it, so here it again debut on this cold day. I like it so much but figured I like you more and would share the recipe. So here you go lovies.

Chocolate Cobbler Recipe

Ingredients:

2 stk	butter
1 1/4 c	sugar
1 1/2 c	self rising flour
1 tsp	vanilla
3/4 c	milk
CHOCOLATE LAYER
1 c	sugar
6 Tbsp	cocoa powder
2 c	boiling water

In a bowl, mix together the 1 1/4 cups of sugar, flour, vanilla and milk. Once the butter is melted

Pour the batter over the butter, but do not stir.

In a separate bowl mix together the cocoa and remaining sugar. Sprinkle cocoa/sugar mixture on top of batter. Do not stir.

Pour the 2 cups of boiling water on top of that (don't stir) and bake for 30-45 minutes. I bake mine until I have a nice golden brown crust. In my oven this usually take about 35 minutes. Serve warm. Great with ice cream reheat oven to 350. In a 9x13 glass baking dish, melt the two sticks of butter in the oven.  

1

Preheat oven to 350. In a 9x13 glass baking dish, melt the two sticks of butter in the oven.

2

Meanwhile in a bowl, mix together the 1 1/4cups of sugar, flour, vanilla and milk. Once the butter is melted pour the batter over the butter, but do not stir.

3

In a separate bowl mix together the cocoa and remaining sugar.

4

Sprinkle cocoa/sugar mixture on top of batter. Do not stir.

 

5

Pour the 2 cups of boiling water on top of that (don't stir) and bake for 30-45 minutes. I bake mine until I have a nice golden brown crust. In my oven this usually take about 35 minutes. Serve warm. Great with ice cream

 

 

P.s I bought brand new boots...going back to my roots ;0)

I might have been born in Massachusetts, but being raised on a farm in California made me who I am...and if your wondering they are the most comfy boots ever.

 

                           Encouragement to chew on:

 

New beginnings start with the Word of God! “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

Ritz cracker crusted haddock

Ritz cracker crusted haddock recipe

Ingredients:

1 roll Ritz crackers
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. black pepper

1/4 c. Parmesan cheese

1/2 stick of butter (melted)
Mayonnaise (just a little to coat the fish and adhere the crumbs)
1-2 lb. white fish fillets (haddock, hake, cod, etc.)

    13 x 9 inch baking dish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place haddock in greased pan. Melt butter and add crumbs and spices, and mix well. Add cheese mix. Spread thin layer of mayonnaise on all sides of fillets. Roll fillets in cracker crumbs. Place in baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until fish is tender. (Option - garnish with lemon slices before placing in oven.)
Serves 4- 6 people the best tasting fish they ever ate serve with veggies and rice pilaf! Enjoy!

                                   Encouragement to chew on:

Christianity is not the life you live for God. It's the life that Jesus lived for you and the power he gives you by the Holy Spirit. - Driscoll

Answer me this????

I find it amazing how the love I have for my husband can exceed my heart (watching little loves tokens walking around the house)...I am more in love with my husband then ever before (many many times I wonder what did I do to deserve him), his heart, his mind, his faith, yep and definitely his looks ;0)...So today stop and think of how blessed you are to have the wonderful man in your life and while you are at it...What is your favorite characteristic of your husband?

Homemade roasted tomato soup

I first tried tomato soup was sometime after Mike and I got married. I had never tried it before so when he introduced me to the Campbell's canned soup I thought "hey pretty good" So from there I always bought canned soup for grilled ham and cheese nights, figuring that homemade probably took to much time, until I got pregnant and had a major craving for tomato soup and grilled ham and cheese and no soup to be found in the house. I decided really how hard could it be. Not only is homemade super easy it tastes a world better, and roasting the tomato's makes then sweeter. I like mine creamy but if your a purest just leave it out.


Roasted Tomato Soup

2 1/2 pounds of ripe, seeded and cored tomato

1 yellow onion cut in equal slices

2 garlic cloves

3 sprigs fresh thyme

2 tbsp olive oil

3 cups of chicken stock

1 bay leave

1 tsp of salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 cup cream (I used light cream but you choose)


Preheat oven 300 degrees

On a baking sheet place tomatoes, garlic, onions, thyme. Drizzle olive oil over all and toss to coat. Roast for 2 hours

Let tomatoes cool to touch and remove skins and tear into bite size pieces. Transfer to stock pot along with the rest of the items on the baking sheet. Add chicken stock and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 40 mins. Remove thyme, and bay leaves add salt and pepper and transfer to a blender (an immersion blender works well too) Return soup to pot stir in cream simmer 10 minutes then serve.

I topped mine with diced avocado and enjoyed with grilled ham and cheese. Comfort food done right.

(sorry the picture is blurry, still getting used to my camera)

Encouragement to chew on:

Aren’t you glad that failure is never final!? “For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again” Prov 24:16, How wonderful that every time we fall, He will lift us up dusts us off and tells us to try again. Keep pressing on and leaning on Him and you will be able to achieve only what you have dreamed.

Be sure to come visit me on Facebook and like my page stay in touch and share your thoughts and ideas.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Joyfulmelody/176433765780276?sk=wall

Yummy Shrimp and Orzo

This past weekend I made a dish, that honestly since then I gave been craving. I made a shrimp and orzo dish and I don't know about anyone else that tried it (I did have some people ask for the recipe) I thought it was fantastic. Here is the recipe...let me know if you try it

Shrimp and Orzo Dish recipe

Ingredients:
2 pound raw deshelled and deveined shrimp (tails removed)
1 Pound of Orzo
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (to start)
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tsp salt (to start)
1 tsp pepper (to start)
1/2 bunch of Italian parsley
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 whole english cucumber (sliced in half the long way then cubed)
1 red onion diced
Fresh feta cheese cubed

Here's how you begin

Place raw shrimp on a baking sheet, sprinkle with evoo, salt and pepper (generously)
at 400 degrees for 6-7 mins (that's it)

Make orzo as directed on package...when done strain and pour in to big mixing bowl. In a measuring cup squeeze 1/2 cup of lemon juice (about 2 lemons but you will then add more to taste), then the olive oil, your salt and pepper. Whisk together and pour over pasta. Chop up your herbs and add in to bowl, then onion, and cucumber. Toss together to blend in flavors. Now pour the baking sheet of shrimp and liquid on the sheet right in. Toss to incorporate flavors. Here where you taste and see what you think it needs more of..oil, lemon juice, salt, or even everything..lol season it to your palette. At least ad in cubed feta cheese and toss gently to not destroy feta...Tada yumminess in a minutes.


Here's some more pictures of the dish...keep in mind was taken with my old camera so light isn't the greatest.

                  Encouragement to chew on:
People don’t need us to “fix” them; they need us to love them. Let God’s love transform hearts & His Word transform thinking! Share a smile, be a blessing, life is beautiful.

From our family to yours.....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year