Week 36 Thursday (9/18/14)

Recipe Review 

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Macaroni and Cheese        

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl         Pages: 96 - 97       Copyright:  2009  Harper Collins

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/04/macaroni-cheese/

I figured out that there are 417 calories per serving, if 8 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

I initially made it in a large container
I made half of the recipe

Here are the containers I use for one serving.

         How did I ever love the boxed macaroni and cheese? Just because something is fast to make, doesn’t mean we should make it. Ree has a few recipes for Macaroni and cheese and this is a great one, too. My favorite is her adult mac and cheese from her second book, but I must say that this one is amazing, especially for kids. The other recipe is like a loaded macaroni and cheese which is especially decadent for adults. This one is more kid friendly, but she still comes through with a great flavor! Leave the box mix in the store where it belongs. This one only takes a few minutes more to make, but boy oh boy does it taste yummy.

Random Reflections - The Glorious Garden  

Jackmandi Clematis

These just take your breath when they are in full bloom

They are climbing a circular trellis,
but they will continue up and over the fence!

This is an older clematis that is well established.

       I absolutely adore this Jackmandi clematis. My plant is eight years old and is quite established. This Jackmandi is very full, in fact it is soooo full, that it now grows up the trellis every year. Last year, it actually starting growing along both sides of my six foot fence.

         The tag says that it can grow to a height of seven to ten feet. The spread for this clematis is between three to six feet, which makes this an amazingly beautiful plant. The blooms are a deep blue-purple color. It is a very rich color and looks great in the yard. The flowers bloom from the middle of the summer for a few months. Mine is in full sun but it can also grow in partial shade. This plant does not need a lot of care, and it needs the regular amount of water. You should always plant this clematis in well-drained soil. You really must have a strong, very tall trellis for this amazing plant.

       

Irksome Ideas and Images

         Do you like junk mail?  Does anyone like it?  Well, I’ve decided someone must, because otherwise I wouldn’t get so much every day. I glance at it but more often than not, I just throw it away. What a waste of trees. I do like the store flyers and the restaurant coupons, but I can live without advertisements for a realtor, insurance reps, or dentists. I already have all of these people and I sure didn’t select them from a flyer. A word of mouth recommendation goes a lot further than a postcard.