Smash Fries Copy Cat Recipe

For those of you who haven't had smash fries, from Smash Burger, you are missing out on something delightful. Those shoe string fries, drizzled in Olive Oil and Rosemary are to die for.

Today while grocery shopping at Target, I was trying to think of something to have with BBQ pulled pork sandwiches. As I crossed the freezer end cap, they just happened to have shoe string fries, right there, next to the meat. Shoe string fries are not my normal choice when making fries at home, but immediately Smash Fries came to mind. I wasn't sure how I was going to make that happen, but I knew I was going to give it a shot. 

I did one quick Google search and boom, there it was...the easiest recipe ever! And the best part, was knowing I was using the rosemary from my own garden. So get out your recipe book and write this one down.

Rosemary Garlic Fries:

Prepare 1 package of shoe string fries as instructed on the package, making sure they are crisp, but not overly brown. My bag was 28 ounces and the perfect amount to use with the amount of dressing I mixed up. 

Dressing: 
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 TBSP of fresh rosemary or 1 1/2 TBSP of dried rosemary , chopped
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Sea Salt 

Mix dressing ingredients in large bowl and once the fries are done, put all of them into the large bowl and toss until they are all coated. If you are leery your first go around, put some of the dressing in a smaller bowl and mix with a small batch of the fries. You can control the amount of dressing easier that way. We did that tonight, just because we weren't sure how potent it was all going to end up, but after the fact, the recipe was perfect and we could of just mixed it all at once.

Don't sit on this one, I'm telling you, they are so good and received 2 thumbs up from the guys as well.

Bringing Joy to A Senior in Your Area

Tonight we were blessed with the opportunity to spend an hour with some senior citizens in a local assisted living facility. The simple act of caroling and spending 45 minutes entertaining them, was a highlight of their day, as well as mine. I walked away, again humbled and reminded of how such a small action can make the difference in someones holiday season. I'll keep my message simple tonight, but in doing so, I ask you to stop and think what you have to offer a senior citizen this holiday season. Do you know someone that could benefit from 30minutes of your time? If you don't have someone that comes to mind immediately, I suggest you seek out that someone. The smiles tonight were priceless! 

What's on Your Duck Dynasty Christmas List???

If you have been to any store in the past 6 months, I'm sure you have this thought..."Wow, those Duck Dynasty Guys Are Making Bank!" Well, today, those beards seemed to cross my path at every turn. So gals, if you have a Duck Dynasty fan in your family, fear not...Their is a gift fit for everyone on that Duck Dynasty Christmas list. But before I start this countdown, let's set the mood with some music.




Let's start this list off right and go right for your sweetheart. If you are a romantic at heart, why not put together this Love Fest package for your lover? Nothing says romance like...Wine, Candles, Christmas Music and Chocolate. 

 

For the Campers in your Life:

Matching His and Her Folding Chairs

For the Men on Your List:

Does your man size up to the DD guys? 

This beef jerky comes in a variety of flavors for his liking!

a subtle tie....

and a not so subtle tie

Duck Tape....what needs to be said about this?

For The Women on Your List:

Nothing says I love you for mom or grandma, like a very nice daily devotional. 

Socks to keep her toes warm

A hat to keep her head warm.

A T-Shirt, that says it all

With these Duck Commander ornaments, she'll remember 2013 forever.

For The Cook In Your Life:

How about a Pink cutting board?

Or a Cookbook....I hear she has the best fried frog leg recipe ever!! 

For the Young Boy In Your Life: 

Action figures are always a hit.

Or, if he's been really good this year, GO BIG with a battery powered ATV.

For The Young Girl In Your Life:

How about a board game for family game night?

A very Hot Pink watch?

Or a Pink Camouflage blanket for her bed? 

And don't forget to get her some new pajamas for Christmas Eve.

For the Gardner In your Life:  

What is Christmas without a Chia under the tree?

A Ghome is a Ghome...Year around pleasure. 

And last, but not least, if you can't find it in the store, have it made. Etsy, has an endless variety of gifts for all ages.

And after finding all those pleasant surprises of joy, I think I'll add this one thing to my Duck Dynasty wish list and call it a night.

December Confessions: Day 1-3

I can't believe it's already December 5th. It really is amazing how time flies when you want it to slow down the most. Sunday morning came, it was December 1st and time to send my daughter back off to school. I wasn't feeling the best on Sunday, so I decided to stay home from church, but like many days in my life, I never know when I'll end up back at work. My 11 day vacation, had a few little glitches, but when I walked out of their last week teasing, that I'll shoot for 9 days out of 11, I was spot on. That left me with time at my desk to finish up cards, make gift list, send out my visit teaching letters for the month and finish up some holiday planning at the office. 

Monday it was 60 degrees here in Northglenn, Colorado, but the threat of sub zero temperatures was looming. I woke up knowing, if I didn't get my Christmas lights done then, they weren't going to get done this year. So I strapped on my hot pink knee pads and went to work. 

At one point, we ran out of daylight and used the spotlight to finish after dark, but finally 11 hours of work, one failure to launch, an emergency trip to Costco for new lights, we were done.

Tuesday was just full of small things that make me happy. Like this candle. Holiday Spice candles are one of my favorite scents from Partylite Candles. But the cost is way up there for a jar candle. Several years ago, I came across this scent at Kohls and it smells exactly like Holiday Spice, but cost just under $5.00 when on sale. You can't beat that!! 

On Black Friday, I picked up these awesome Poinsettias at a rock bottom price and was able to send one to the office for each of the girls and kept two for myself. 

Now that I had time to sit down and enjoy the moment, it was time to open my first batch of Christmas cards from my MHH friends. They were all beautiful and really made my morning.

I'll finish with this piece of "Art".  It's the only painting I've ever bought at a thrift store and of course, it had to be a winter scene to catch my eye. You can't really see in this photo, but it portrays a snowy, day, in an old village town. I tease that maybe someday I'll find out that I'm one of those lucky people, who bought a million dollar painting at the thrift store. I'm sure that thought will wear off, but the smile this painting brings me, will continue on.

Christmas Videos Going Viral...

If you've not had a chance to see these videos yet, I highly suggest you take a few minutes and enjoy! In the last 24 hours, I've seen them everywhere and both are well deserving.