{Visitors}

Can I tell you how excited I am, my sister is coming to visit me! We lived 5 blocks away from each other for the last three years and the I up and moved to Paris on her (aren't I a rotten sister?) but hey she gets a trip to France out of it right? She is bringing her whole family, she's got 5 kids, so add that to my 4 and we are going to have a full house. So I am trying to plan our meals and decided it would help me be organized to have a cute set of meal planners and shopping lists. So last night I put these adorable little things together using Bree Clarkson's What's cookin template and SaraAmarie's way fun Grandmas Garden kit.

Bree's Templates are available at www.scrapbookgraphics.com and SaraAmarie sells at www.oscraps.com

So last week I did something I swore I would never do again, tried out to be a cheerleader :) I just love www.thedigishoppe and couldn't pass up the chance to get involved there :) I am having fun commenting and scrapping there. I just have to tell you if you are looking for a fun friendly site that offers lots of encouragement this is the place!

Last order of business and why you are probably here and reading this in the first place, templates. Mormishmom made my day by asking where I sell my templates, she wanted to buy some, I was in shock :) So I had a few laying around on my hard drive that I thought I would package up and give away just because mormishmom likes them ;) Here's the first one.....


http://www.4shared.com/file/14780486/62d95a60/johanna_berry_story.html
And next is a kind of crazy one I made. But who know you might want it :)






http://www.4shared.com/file/14781088/3ad4b8de/johanna_berry_triangles.html

So have a happy Thursday and until next time (which very well may be a month or two days).

Remember to please leave me a comment here if you download, it makes me happy :)

{Recipes}

My SIL is putting together a family cook book and I thought I would post two of my fav recipes, they are incredibly good, healthy and fast...who could ask for more?

Apple-Chipotle Salsa

1 cup diced (1/4 in) Granny Smith apple (unpeeled, rinsed)
1/2 cup diced (1/4 in) red onion
1/2 cup diced (1/4 in) red bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup apple juice
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp ground dried chipotle chili or cayenne
1 pork tenderloin or 4 boned, skinned chicken breast
Chili spice rub

In a bowl, mix apple, onion, bell pepper, cilantro, apple juice, vinegar, and chili. Cover and chill.

Chili spice Rub

1 Tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon firmly packed brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne

mix in small bowl.

Rub chili spice mix all over chicken or pork. Roast in 375 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, or grill.
Transfer chicken to plates. Serve with green apple-chipotle salsa.



Sweet and Spicy Vegetable Couscous

2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 large carrots shredded
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 can corn
1 (9oz) package frozen sweet peas
1 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cups uncooked couscous
1/2 cup peanuts.

Heat oil in Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add onion and carrot; cook and stir 2-3 minutes until tender.
Increase heat to med-high. Add all remaining ingredients except couscous and peanuts. Mix well. Bring to a boil. Stir in couscous. Cover; remove from heat. Let stand 5 to 7 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with fork and add peanuts. Also delicious with spicy sausages.