Low-Carb Living ~ Artichoke Crusted Chicken

Artichokes are in the same family as thistles -- maybe you don't know this about me but thistle flowers are about my favorites -- so beautiful, yet thorny. My favorite tea set is Dundee Thistle and I have a few treasured pieces. Now, back to the subject, ARTICHOKES -- we grew them when we lived in California and I look forward to them fresh every year -- when I can't get them fresh, then frozen, canned and marinated ones show up often in my kitchen. Oh, and if you've never seen an artichoke bloom, it is a breathtaking sight.

Hemming & Hawing

Hemming and hawing means to speak hesitantly or inarticulately, with numerous pauses and interjections. Although I rarely hem and haw -- I most certainly HEM!

Low-Carb Living ~ Bok Choy & Bacon and The Skinny Rules

Hoping you've had a wonderful week. Mine was busy, busy, busy - hoping for some down time over the weekend. On a sad note, next Thursday is my last one off for the season. I'll go back to working a 5 day week after Labor Day weekend. While I am looking forward to getting an extra hour of sleep each morning, I am sad to be losing my day off during the week.

Low-Carb Living ~ Smoky Low-Carb Barbecue Sauce

With #1 son camping out in my basement, he has taken over a lot of the cooking -- that means most everything is being grilled -- no complaints from me. He is doing so well on the low-carb diet and inspiring me everyday with his creations. Last weekend he wanted some BBQ sauce to slather onto ribs -- YUM. I dug out my trusty copy of 500 Low Carb Recipes book by Dana Carpender -- this was excellent. He plans to do ribs again this weekend :)

Low-Carb Living ~ Parmesan Squash Bake

We're getting to THAT time of year -- you know what time I am talking about -- when you don't dare leave your car unlocked for FEAR that someone will put a bag of zucchini in it for you :)

Bad, Bad Blogger!!

The BAD Blogger!!

Yep, that would be me - away from my blog and my blogging friends for the last week. Shame, shame on me! Wish I could tell you I was out having fun somewhere BUT that was not the case. Blogger caused me some grief and I wasn't able to log on AND more importantly, I had some family issue to deal with. One of my dear children is facing some of life's difficult moments. Please hold us up in prayer -- this too will pass but when you are young, you don't always have the life experience to know that. Thank you for both your understanding and your prayers. I will be catching up on my blog visiting this week!

I did not get the winner of the Quail Ridge Press GIVEAWAY posted. Thanks for everyone who entered in and all the nice comments that were posted. And BIG thanks to the wonderful folks at Quail Ridge Press for providing the books for review and giveaway (they are sending me another book for review so watch for that).

Without further delay..........................................

The LUCKY winner of this giveaway is

Kimberley from Kimberley's Front Porch (I thought it fun that Kim was the winner and her blog is named Front Porch and my review was my Front Porch party -- too fun!!)

Congratulations Kim :)

Thank you to my daughter for always tallying up all the entries and determining the winner for me!