Fried Ranch Squash Chips

"Happy are all who fear the Lord, who walk in the ways of God."

Palsm 128:1

 

 

There goes yet another busy day down in the books...



Cameron and I did our normal feeding, napping and learning routine, and then he and I ran some errands and picked up items for a couple of projects I am working on in our home... and, of course, we picked out a green remote control car for him. I gave him the option, green or red, and he chose green. :)
 



My happy little guy during our errand run.

 

After making it home from running errands, I decided to cut up and clean the home grown squash my grandmother bought from a local farmer so I could fry it (something I have never done before BTW).  I thought to myself, "what would make the taste of these suckers pop?!" I opened my cabinet and things just started popping out at me. But, before I started preparing a thing, I asked my husband if he'd rather the squash be an appitizer or have it with our meal, which was my wheat rotini creamy Italian pasta w/ steamed chicken. I know what you're thinking, fried squash with pasta?! Ha ha... trust me, I thought the same thing, but it turned out to be a good combination since they were both DELICIOUS! Anyhow, my husband said, "honestly, I'd love it as an appetizer." So I let the fun begin, and I created my own AMAZING recipe for fried squash!  I didn't use exact measurements since I tend to just "wing" it (as my husband would say). I'm big on just throwing things together and it turning out just as I had hoped.

 

Jacqueline's Fried Ranch Squash Chips w/ Ranch Dressing For Dipping

 

Before you begin... you'll need a large skillet (I used a nonstick skillet), choose your oil or shortening and the amount of oil or shortening you will need based upon the amount of squash you plan to fry. I heated my vegetable oil on medium heat while I cut and cleaned my squash, but then, I turned the heat down to a lower setting while I prepared the rest and fried it on the lower heat setting, as well.

 

 

I evenly mixed 1 brown egg with 1/4 c Horizon Organic whole milk and added a pinch of fresh ground pepper and a pinch of creole seasoning to the egg and milk mixture. Then, in a seperate bowl, I mixed together 1/2 c of organic flour, 1/2 tbsp fresh ground pepper, 1 tsp creole seasoning (I'm sure you can substitute for season salt if you don't like the spice of the creole seasoning), 1 tsp organic garlic powder, and 1/2 tbsp Hidden Valley ranch and 1/2 tbsp green onion seasonings. I didn't stick with exact measurements on any of the seasonings, though... I added a little more creole and a pinch of season salt... my husband likes his food salty and with a little bit of spice... But, all the measurements are a reasonable guess. I am sure if you like to cook, you'll add or take away. Next, dip your squash in the egg and milk mixture and make sure it's completely coated by the mixture, then place it in and cover it with the flour mixture, and then slowly place it in your grease. Brown each side and remove it from the grease.

 

 

As I removed each squash chip from the grease I stood it up on it's side in a glass bowel on my favorite Kleenex (select a size) paper towels (I can't imagine using any other paper towel) . :)

 I wanted the paper towel to absorb most of  the grease, and it did! :)

 

 

 

Voila...

 



Last, but not least, I have to share my favorite "cooking creme"... I've been cooking with it for about a year now... go grab some and do as you please with it. Trust me, it will turn your food into a meal!  Of course, if you are watching your weight, I wouldn't mix it with every meal, but if  you have a "splurge" day like I did today, go ahead and enjoy! You won't be disappointed!

 

 

 

 

After dinner...

 

Play time in the bath and with Beau... Ha ha

 

 

Well, goodnight to all! We're exhausted!

 

 





Daddy Entertains While Mommy Photographs

"I see your love for me, God, in my baby's smile,

and I understand so much better how you care for me..."

Wow, it doesn't feel like I've slowed down in days...Cameron, gym, library, park, golf, cooking, cooking, cooking, washing, washing, washing and now Song Pop. Yes, Song Pop... I never thought I'd play since I'm not much of a gamer, but my husband convinced me to start playing against him. And, I have to admit, I've enjoyed it; and yes, I'm beating him!!! And have been for 2 weeks now!!! WooHoo!!!

Needless to say, I've negleted my blog, ALREADY!!! :/ I have so many pictures and recipes I've prepared to share (thank you, Pinterest!!!). I'll be posting those throughout the remainder of the week.

So... I've expressed to my husband that I'd like to make Cameron's bath time part of our family time and not just Mommy and Cam time, and it's been AWESOME!!! Daddy entertained (spitting Cameron's foam bath letters out at him) while mommy photographed every precious smile on Cameron's face. Cam has loved it just as much as mommy, and he has been rewarding Daddy for every smile with a nice, big kiss!!!

 



Copying Daddy



Splash, splash, splash

 

L.O.V.E





Approximately 456 Days

 "The Lord has granted me my lips as a reward,

and my tongue will declare his praises." Sirach 51:22

 

It's so hard to believe that exactly 2 years ago my husband and I decided we were ready to become parents and were blessed with Cameron 9 months later! That all seems just like yesterday!  And, here I sit today, typing and looking down at my beautiful, sleeping baby boy.

Wait a minute... Baby?

Am I still able to call him my baby?! Hmmm...

Ha ha... that's something I question now-a-days. It seems like every update I receive in my email or foods or snacks I buy (for Cameron's age group) all say "your 15 month old toddler" or "toddler". I'm like, "NO, he's still my "baby" and will always be MY baby... Even though he'd (ALREADY) rather be driving my car! ;) Where has time gone?! My "baby" is 15 months going on 15 w/ his driver's license in hand!

 

One thing is for sure though, I'm worried Cameron may starve! No, really... every time I feed him, he either pulls his food out of his mouth when I look away and feeds it to our dog, Beau, or he will pick a snack out of the container or bag and will tease Beau with it... I have to make sure I avoid giving him anything with chocolate because I love my dog. (wink) It's to the point now that he's so use to teasing Beau with his snacks that now he's teasing me with his snacks... I guess he's hoping I'll chase after him begging for a bite like Beau. I wonder, are there any other mothers out there who worry their kids are giving all their NEEDED nutrients to the animals in their household? ;)

I took Cameron to the park to feed the ducks and to play the middle of last week, and as we arrived at the park, I took Cameron out of his carseat and stood him on the ground so he could show me what he wanted to do first at the park, and instead of walking, he sat down right there and "swam" through the dirt and gravel. Of course, I laughed and picked him up. Well, it wasn't a laughing matter for him, he screamed so loud I think east Texas heard him! I was like, "Oh my goodness, what bit or stung you?!" He had never acted like that with me before, NEVER! That's why I thought maybe he had been bit or stung. I didn't notice anything on him, so I put him back down so he could walk, and he turned around and ran right back to the dirt and gravel. Nothing else really mattered at the park that day, nothing but the dirt and gravel. I took a lot of pictures since we visited two days in a row and it was his 15 month "birthday". I was able to interest him in a few other things those two days, but he's your typical boy, he loves cars and loves to get "dirt"y!

Oh how I love my sweet "baby" boy!

Mezmerized

 

 



by the tractor.

 

 



Snack time after play time.

 

 



Now I know how our movie drawer broke.

 

 



It's a new day...

 

 



Trying to put his shoe back on :)

 

 



Slidding with Mommy.

 

 





The END.