Kitchen Experiments: Faith's Birthday Treats

First off Happy Birthday to the sweetest most amazing dog a girl could ask for!! Faith, our pug,  is 11 years old today, so in honor of her birthday I am doing a recipe for home-made dog treats from Sweet Paul Magazine.  She is just like her momma and is obsessed with anything that involves peanut butter

Peanut Snack Sandwiches

INGREDIENTS
2 Tablespoons Canola Oil
1/2 cup Peanut Butter (all natural or organic) - I prefer Smuckers Natural Creamy
1 cup water
1 1/2 cup White Flour
1 1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flower
crushed Peanuts

STEPS
1. In a large bowl or mixer combine Oil, Peanut Butter and Water

2. Add both types of flour to mix and work dough together

3. wrap mixed dough in plastic wrap and place in the regrigerator for at least 30 minutes

4. Knead dough into a firm ball and roll into 1/4 thickness

5. Preheat Oven to 350

6. Use a cookie cutter or small glass ( I used a shot glass) and cut out small circles

7. Place cut out circles on cookie sheet (can cover in parchment if you prefer)

8. Put a handful of peanuts in a food processor and grind to a fine consistency

9. sprinkly peanuts over circles, press softly into dough

 
10. bake for 10-12 minutes

11. Cool on wire rack

12. Store in an container with a tight lid.

13. When you are ready to serve them to your pup put some peanut butter in between two cookies and serve, believe it won't last long

Bowie waiting patiently...of course the Birthday girl will share

At last, taste test!!!

*The best part you can try them too, I sure did :)

j+k

Float Trippin'

For Rachel's 17th Birthday we headed to the North Fork Twin Bridges for a float trip. Although we had a couple spills we made it out alive and had a great time.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!

Birthday Girl

Trina and Me

John with his first bluegill

Getting Ready to Float

John and me

SPFin' it up

So what if I still wear my Teva's from 1999, they are still stylin'

More spf action

My catch with the big catch of the day

Trina and Amie before they tip

Bridge jumpin'

j+k

Mag Models: Bowie and Faith

It's a little late but Faith and Bowie graced the TOC  page of the June issue of 417 Magazine, we couldn't be prouder. And no that is not me kissing some random dude...I have had 4 people ask me that this week.

The Johnson Blurb: All Day Pool Party!!

Had to repost Megan's & Tim's post from today. What a fun day, thanks for having us over!

The Johnson Blurb: All Day Pool Party!!: "Saturday Tim had a baseball tourney so I had some girlfriends over to relax, drink some fresh fruit margarita's and eats lots of yummy food...."

Dad's Day

We invited the fam over for a Dad's Day bbq at our house. We made brats, shrimp, broccoli slaw, watermelon and my mom brought over some 7 layer dip and Andy's for dessert. We also had a friendly washers tourney where my dad kicked all our butts! We love you dad!!

John cooking up the brats as Faith tries to catch crumbs

the spread

Yum!!

Faith's new favorite snack, watermelon

Can't leave Bowie out, he swallowed his whole

My awesome parents, they are too cute!

Dad with his girls

Amie breaking out her moves

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Sun Tea!!!

Since it has been so toasty out lately, I decided to make some sun tea. Being that it was father's day and my pops loves tea it seemed like a perfect occasion.

If you have never made it before, it is easy and super delicious. 

Here is what ya do...

1. Use a clear jug

2. Fill with 6 cups (or more if you want) of filtered water

3. Seep 6-8 tea bags depending on how stong you like your tea

4. Set in direct sunlight for 2 hours.

5. Serve with lemon (sweatener if you like) & enjoy!

seeping in the sun

the finished product with fresh lemon slices

  

j+k

Kitchen Experiments: Lemon Feta Dip

At 8:16 last night I frantically remembered I had a food day at work tomorrow...by 8:35 i had whipped up some Lemon Feta Dip (time includes running to the grocery store & prep). In other words, if you need a delicious but super quick appetizer, this is a life saver. Also if you are like me, aka cheap, it is super economical. I go for the off brands but feel free to splurge if your heart desires :)

Lemon and feta dip

INGREDIENTS

8oz feta cheese, crumbled

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 clove garlic, chopped

6 tablespoons olive oil+ extra for serving

fresh thyme

STEPS

1. Place feta, lemon zest and juice, garlic and olive oil in a blender and blend until smooth.

2. Spoon into a bowl and drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with thyme.

3.  The sky is the limit on how to use this amazing dip, serve with veggies, grilled pita bread drizzled with olive oil, salt and thyme or even put inside a pita for a sandwich. Would also be good with pretzels!!!

j+k

I melt

There is just something about our two furry kiddos that makes my heart melt.  Everytime I see them snuggled up together i can't help but capture the moment.

j+k

Kitchen Experiments: No Bore Beans

Canned veggies can be BORING! BUT being that they are so economic and good for ya, getting creative can  help you from getting sick of them. John was grilling fish last night and so I decided to cook up some canned green beans with a twist. Easy as pie, eh...beans!

Get your serving of veggies without the bore.

INGREDIENTS:
1 Can green beans - french style (or regular, your choice)
Spoon-full Butter/Margarine - just enough to melt and coat the beans)
1/2 cup Italian Style Bread Crumbs

1 Tbsp Onion Powder

STEPS:
1. Cook beans until hot
2. Drain
3. Add butter, let melt
4. Add Bread Crumbs and Onion Powder, coat beans
5. Enjoy!

Super easy and fast! You could even try adding some Parmesan or Garlic, so many ways to add zing!
j+k

Race for a Cure + Engel Party

After the golf tournament, I headed to St. Louis for the St. Louis Race for a Cure with my parents and sister Rachel. John & Amie had to work so he stayed back, we missed them dearly! The race was amazing with 65,000 people in attendance. We walked in memory of my grandma Marilyn who passed away in October from cancer and also in honor of our friend Melanie who is now in remission from Breast Cancer. After the walk we celebrated at my aunt & uncle's house, Trina made the drive up also (thanks friend!)

My dad, Rachel, Mom, me, Meghan, Jules and Scott before the start of Race for a Cure, we were on the Blues Team

The massive crowd of people as you can see in the distance.

My sister Rachel, Dad, Mom and me at the finish line

After the walk we had to stop by our fav STL eatery Crusoe's

Jule's Ice toast "To Pain Pills, Surgeries and Car Accidents" after the traumatic week they just had.

Jules made Trina her famous Blueberry Martini

A little Just Dance action before the guests arrive

Trina, Me and Meghan

 

 

The Engel girls plus Trina minus Amie :(

Erin looking Gaga-esque with the Parrot towel holder

The Disco gloves came out

William taught us "John Wall" , "Cat Daddy" and the "The Jerk" dances

Sunday we stopped by the cemetery to leave flowers for Grandma

Dad picked out Purple & Pink Lilly's, her favorite color

We got a small taste of the crazy cicada outbreak, my dad had a hitch hiker!

On the way back to home we did a White Castle & Jack in the Box run for John, he was uber exited!

j+k