Steak, Pork or Chicken Marinade

I am trying to get some more grilling in before the weather starts to get cold again.

This was a easy marinade that gave a good flavor. You can also try other mustards like dijon.

2/3 cup olive oil
2/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring
2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder

• In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, liquid smoke, mustard, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Place meat in the bowl, and coat with the marinade.
• Cover, and allow to marinate a maximum of 4 hours in the refrigerator.
• Preheat the grill for high heat.
• Oil grill grate. Discard marinade, and place meat on grate.

Cake Batter Ice Cream

Cake Batter Ice Cream


My kids love this birthday cake ice cream from a local ice cream shop, so as a back to school treat we made this in our ice cream maker.

1 cup whole milk, well chilled
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 cups heavy cream, well chilled
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2/3 to 3/4 cup cake mix (we used Funfetti cake mix)

• Place freezer bowl of ice cream maker into the freezer. It is better to keep it in there 24/7 that way it is always ready.


• In a medium bowl, whisk the milk and granulated sugar until the sugar is dissolved.


• Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla to taste.


• Stir in cake mix, making sure there are no lumps.


• Pour mixture into the freezer bowl and let mix until it has thickened (about 25-30 minutes).


• Remove ice cream from freezer bowl and place into a separate container.


• Place freezer bowl and the ice cream into the freezer to further harden.

Back to school, back to reality

Tomorrow is back to school for my kids and also back to reality for me. I was very lazy this summer and did not do much cooking or baking so now that school is back I am also back to my meal planning.

I hate to iron so my "recipe" for today is homemade no iron wrinkle remover. I just made a new batch up for back to school time

No Iron Wrinkle Remover

20 ounces distilled water
1-2 teaspoon downy fabric softener

• Mix the last two ingredients well in the spray bottle.
• Hang garment on a hanger.
• Gently mist with spray.
• Lightly tug and smooth the fabric and allow to hang dry