Valentine Sugar Cookies

This is a re-post for those that want to make your cookies before Valentine's Day. It's a tradition in our home to have these for Valentines. It's the perfect treat!!

1 cup shortening
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
3 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs
1 Cup milk
2 tsp. vinegar (trust me!)
6 cups flour

Mix ingredients together. Roll onto a floured surface and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 350* for 8-10 minutes. Frost with Butter cream Frosting. (recipe follows)


Butter cream Frosting:
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup shortening
4 2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup water


In a large bowl combine butter, shortening, and sugar and beat until creamy. Add lemon juice and vanilla. Mix until well blended. Add water and mix until very light.

Cowboy Caviar

This recipe comes from my sister who got it from her friend, which I've revised just a bit. There is no wrong way to do it, and its a delicious (and healthy) snack or appetizer!!



*2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
1 can regular diced tomatoes, drained
1 can black beans rinsed and drained
1 can black eyed peas rinsed and drained
1 can corn drained
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
2 tsp. Garlic Salt
1-2 avacados (I usually dont cut these up till right before I serve)
approx. 1 cup chopped cilantro
1 pkg. Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix (mix dressing as directed on package)

Mix all together, serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

*You could also use fresh tomatoes instead!

3 Cheese Artichoke Dip

This recipe come from Paula Deen and does NOT disappoint.
It made for the perfect Superbowl dip! It can be found Here .

• 1 (8 ounces) block cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 (14 ounces) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 2 green onions, sliced thin
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• Dash hot sauce
• Dash Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand held electric mixer until smooth. Then beat in the mayonnaise until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and stir together until combined. Transfer the dip to a greased pie plate or shallow gratin dish. Bake in a preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the dip is bubbling. Serve hot with crackers, tortilla chips, crostini or veggies.

Slow cooker Ranch Pork Chops

6 boneless (or bone-in) pork chops
1 dry packet mix of Ranch dressing
1 can cream of chicken soup

Place pork chops in a slow cooker. Mix chicken soup and ranch dressing mix together and place over pork chops. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Remove pork chops and using remaining dressing in the crock pot as a gravy over the pork chops. The dressing is also great if its served over mashed potatoes with the pork chops. YUM!!