Thursday, September 16, 2010

Day 18 Blog Challenge

Day 18: Wedding...past/present/future
Well, I was just married in May, and I think my wedding was pretty spectacular, so I'm going to AW. Above is us and our bridal party on the top deck of the rental house overlooking the Pamlico Sound in the Outer Banks.


I made sure our wedding was about 3 things: us, our people and details. Above is just one of the awesome details. My embroidered bouquet ribbon made by an etsy.com seller. It's a C & E intertwined in Navy thread (1 of our wedding colors).
Below is our amazing church. Oh it is sooo beautiful. This is my father walking me down the aisle with the bagpipes playing in the background (another awesome detail). The windows behind the altar look out over the Pamlico Sound.




Again with the details! Above is the place cards... They were navy and white tags with green ribbon tied to starfish and sandollars.
Below is a picture of one of the tables. All the menus, place cards, table names etc were used with the same paper I made our invitations with. Very cohesive (and detail oriented). Each table was named after either one of our current dogs (Foley & Casey) or one of our foster dogs. Our favors were little truffle boxes that said "Sweet Bliss begins with a hug, a kiss and a promise" and in side was a Hershey hug, Kiss and a Dove Promise.


I loved our wedding, I love the details, the location, our friends, our family, the food, the drink, the weather, the sunset, everything.. it was perfect. And looking back at our pictures I fall in love with it more every day.















Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Day 17 - Blog Challenge!

Today is....an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)


Oooh! I can share my current obsession/love. Ron Schmidt!






Seriously?!?! How cute is this!

I will own the one above...someday.

And hello?!?!

If only I had an endless flow of cash, my entire house would be covered in this cute pup pictures.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Blog Challenge - Day 16ish

Day 16… A song that makes you cry..or nearly.

I have fallen off the Bloggerwagon. But I’m hoisting myself back up! In my time off the wagon, I’ve been thinking about Day 16’s topic: A song that makes you cry or nearly. Off the top of my head I can think of a few, and I can think of songs or moments listening to songs that make me teary or upset.

The National Anthem always gives me goosebumps. And there are moments when I’ve heard it and teared. There is nothing like being at a NASCAR race with the jets flying over, the Anthem playing and it just evokes a sense of America.

There are songs that were written about 9/11 or songs that came to represent something after 9/11. These songs make me cry. I can still remember driving home from VT a week or so after 9/11 and hearing the “American” themed songs and bawling my eyes out because of what they now stood for.

Of course sappy love songs or songs about fathers and daughters always get to me.

I think for the purpose of this post, I will go with:

Then… by Brad Paisley. This was one of my friends wedding songs, and over a year later I still get teary when I hear it.

Friday, September 10, 2010

CUPCAKES!!!!!!

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be in the vicinity of Georgetown Cupcake. Thank you to tips from friends, I knew to order in advance so that I would not have to wait in line. The store was a hop skip and a jump from the hotel I was staying at in Arlington, so I placed my order to be ready on Sunday morning and picked them on my way out of town.
There was a line a mile long! So I am glad that I pre-0rdered. I simply told the girl at the door I had pre-ordered, walked in, gave them my name, out came my bag with this fabulous box in it and off I went. Pre-paid! WOOHOO! The store was bustling, the energy was sugary and one of the owners was even there!

I had to drive in the car with these babies for over 6 hours. SIX HOURS. SIX LONGGGG HOURS. I was thinking crazy thoughts... ie: if i got pulled over I'd offer the officer a cupcake. I also picked up our newest addition to the family that day in Philly (Gutter our kitten). Oh, the temptation.

Don't they look amazing!!!!



Okay Here is the run down of what we got:
Above: on the top right: Cherry Cheesecake Cupcake, PB Fudge below, Coconut Chocolate on the bottom right. On the top left: Chocolate 2, Red Velvet, Milk Chocolate Birthday.


Above: to the right: Carrot, Vanilla & Chocolate, Lava Fudge. To the left: Coconut, Strawberry, Cherry Cheesecake Cupcake.
I was able to bring them home and refrigerate them. When ready to eat, bring to room temp. YUM. You can also freeze them.
My favorite: Cherry Cheesecake.
I almost ordered a whole dozen of them after my first bite.




Thursday, September 9, 2010

Dau 15 - Blog Challenge

Day 15 - My Dream House.....





This house is located in Scituate, MA on The Glades... I would love to live in this very spot...

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Day 14 - Blog Challenge


Day 14 - Non-Fictional Book


I love to read. My house is full of books. I will read anything and everything. Can't say I love everything I read, but I read it none the less.


Here is my choice for a non-fiction(more of an autobiography) book...

I love Jimmy and I love this book. It's a very inspiring, funny, sad, yet captivating tail of his life. And really, makes me want to just throw it all in and go to the carribean.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

1st Apple Crisp of the Season

I love Apple Crisp. I first made this recipe back in college after recieving the Joy of Cooking as a gift from my mom. This recipe is tried and true.

I'm dreaming about having some now...

Oh and with fresh, homemade whipped cream... TO DIE FOR.
Apple Crisp
(From The Joy of Cooking)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Have ready an unbuttered 2-inch-deep 2 quart baking dish. Peel, core, and cut apples into 1-inch chunks:
8 medium apples (about 2 1/2 pounds)

Spread evenly in the baking dish.Combine in a bowl:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour3/4 cup white sugar 1/2 tsp salt1/2 tsp ground cinnamon1/4 tsp grated or ground nutmeg
Add:
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Using a pastry blender or 2 forks, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs. (this may also be done with a mixer or in a food processor, taking care not to blend the butter too thoroughly.) Scatter the topping evenly over the fruit. Bake until the topping is golden brown, the juices are bubbling, and the apples are tender, 50 - 55 minutes.

NOTES: This is my go to Apple Crisp recipe. Easy, tasty and always have the makings on hand during apple season. We hit pay dirt at the farmer’s market with apples, so I whipped up the first crisp of the season.

I only used 5 apples, as the ones we got were LARGE. I also sprinkled some cinnamon and nutmeg over the apples before putting the crisp topping over it to give the apples some more flavor. YUM.




Day 13 - Blog Challenge

Lucky #13...


A fictional book....


If you haven't read any of Janet Evanovich's "Stephanie Plum" novels... make the time. They are funny, fast moving and easy reads. And they take place in NJ. You will laugh and laugh and laugh.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Day 11 & 12 Blog Challenge!

Today is day 12...something I'm OCD about. I don't really think I'm OCD about anything, but I came up with one thing...
SHOES!!!

These shoes are my wedding shoes... photo credits: www.likeadreamphotography.com

Day 11 is a recent photo of you...
Thankfully I have all these amazing pictures I can use from my wedding...LOL. I'm not going to tell you why there is a picture of me in a pose that sort of makes me look like I'm running away. And yes, that's my dad in the background laughing at me!


Friday, September 3, 2010

Day 10 - Blog Challenge

WOOHOOOO! It's Friday, it's day 10, it's a holiday weekend... Let's PARTY!


Day 10 - A photo of you from over 10 years ago

This is a picture of my older brother and I... in SNOW. Boy I could go for sitting in a big pile of snow right now. This picture is probably circa 1980...

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Day 9 - Blog Challenge

Todays challenge is "A Photo You Took". Well I've taken a million pictures. Picking one is the hardest part! I hope you enjoy the picture I chose.This is a picture I took last August in Scituate, MA. Friend's of ours got married on "The Spit" and it was only fitting that the lobster boats bring some of the guests to the beach.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Day 8 - Blog Challenege

*Patting myself on the back for making it to day 8*


Day 8: A photo that makes you sad/angry

This photo makes me sad and angry. It upsets me to no end that dogs have to live in conditions like this at an Animal Control facility while people go out and buy their dogs. There are millions of dog in rescue, in shelters, in high kill facilities that would make wonderful, AMAZING pets. We have 3 rescue dogs of our own and have fostered some amazing dogs.

These dogs are not broken, sick, but merely unwanted for numerous reasons. There is no reason to support a back yard breeder, a pet store or any other insane avenue that people go to to PURCHASE a dog when there are plenty of dogs, young, old, pure bred, mutt, special needs, puppy on petfinder.com that are in need of love and a home.


Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Day 7 - Blog Challenge

Day 7 - A Photo That Makes You Happy...
This is a picture from my wedding day (obviously). When Fabulous Husband and I first went and looked at the property, I had envisioned a picture like this. I just love it. The contrast, the colors, me in my dress, the scenery.
Can I just say again how much I love our wedding photographers?!?! They really rocked it.
www.likeadreamphotography.com

Monday, August 30, 2010

Day 6 - Blog Challenge

Day 6 – 20 of my favorite things


I really like today’s challenge! This list will by no means be in any particular order, so should you be looking to give me a gift feel free to pick from anywhere on the list as I likely will love #15 as much as #2.

Jim Beam - especially Red Stag
Stonyfield Yogurt
Whole Foods Cherry Vanilla Crème Soda
Driving on Back Country Roads
Music
Reading
Cooking
Baking
Jewelry
Chocolate
Chocolate Labs
Snow
The Beach
Scituate, MA
Friends
Family
The OBX
Reality TV
Our wedding photographers
My Wedding
Disclaimer: This was supposed to be posted yesterday...with lots of pictures, but I'm having some issues. Okay, I'm having a lot of issues, LOL. I'm working on it and at least you have my list!

Loads of Veggies Chili

We love Chili in our house. What's not to love? Throw a bunch of stuff in the Crockpot, let it simmer and you have dinner for a few nights. You can freeze it, you can bring it for lunch, you could even make a salad with it. Chili has endless possibilities and endless recipes. Turkey, Chicken, Beef, Venison, Pork, vegetarian. With beans without beans. You name it, it's been done. Here is a version we just made using a lot of veggies from our farm share.

Crockpot is loaded and ready to go:

Chili has been simmering on the keep warm setting for 12+ hours...


Chili

1 pound ground beef
6 cloves of garlic
4 small red onions
2 bell peppers
2 green peppers
1 orange tomato
1 red tomato
Scallions
1 can of tomato sauce
1 can of diced tomatoes w/chilies
2 cans of black beans, rinsed
1 can of kidney beans, rinsed
Cumin
Paprika
Red pepper flakes
Chili powder

Brown meat with garlic, onion and scallions. In large Crockpot combine the rest of the ingredients. Once meat is browned, add to Crockpot and cook on low for 7-8 hours of high for 3.

Serve with chips, sour cream, cheese or by itself.

Enjoy!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Day 4 & 5 Blog Challenege

Day 4 – Favorite Book

This a little hard for me. As an avid reader I have a lot of favorite books. So I’ll just list a few, how is that?









Day 5 – Favorite Quote

This one is easy…

All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream ~ Edgar Allen Poe

I love quotes. They inspire, they give strength and hope and there are so many too choose from. When you can’t find the words yourself, you can always use someone elses. I have used some great quotes in so many things in my life, Christmas cards, thank you cards, letters, notes, emails, I have picture frames with quotes and books full of them.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Day 3 - Blog Challenge

Day 3 – Favorite Television program

I could sit here and bore you with my horrible addiction to reality TV. Since it’s Friday, I won’t.

My favorite Television program is:

Bones









Thursday, August 26, 2010

Carmelized Onions & BBQ Pulled Chicken!

This is one of the easiest recipes I have in my secret recipe folder. It's tasty, it's good for parties, good for leftovers making sandwiches, tacos, burritos, pizza, salads, you name it.

This particular evening we were having it as a leftover. I had some beautiful onions from our farm share so I caramelized them to add into the leftover BBQ pulled chicken.
To caramelize the onions, I browned some butter, added the onions and sugar. YUM.


Then added the already shredded chicken in. It gave it a very sweet yet tangy taste on the sandwich.



Ingredients

6 frozen skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (12 ounce) bottle barbecue sauce (You can use any kind! This makes it interesting!)
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing (I use low fat or fat free)
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (Was out - used A1 instead)

Directions
Place chicken in a slow cooker. In a bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, Italian salad dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over the chicken.
Cover, and cook 3 to 4 hours on High or 6 to 8 hours on Low.

Sauteed Peaches & French Toast


This was a last minute, quick Sunday breakfast. Full of flavor, easy and not so healthy!

Leftover, few day old baguette (from Whole foods)
Buttermilk
Eggs
Cinnamon
Vanilla
Cream Cheese
Syrup
Peaches
PAM

Mix buttermilk, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla and soak bread. Cook to preference. In a separate pan, spray with PAM, and saute peaches until warm. Spread syrup and cream cheese on French toast and accompany with peaches.

I used peaches that were overripe as they needed to be used or thrown out. They were extra juicy and warm. YUM.



Day 2 - Blog Challenege

Day 2 – Favorite Movie

Welcome to Day 2 of the 30 Day Blog Challenge. Today’s blog topic: Favorite Movie. I like movies, but I am by no means a movie buff. In fact, I don’t like going to the movie theater and I rarely watch movies at home. Most of my movie watching is from back in my college days or when I would be “recovering” on the couch. Since I am no longer in college or really have very many “recovery” days needed, I just don’t watch too many movies. Fabulous Husband does, but I’m not really into the genre’s he is into, so I’m happy he doesn’t mind that I’m off doing other things while he is watching a movie.

I have a lot of movies that I love, that I would watch over and over, probably before I would even watch a new one, but I should narrow it down for the sake of this post.

Romantic movie: Sabrina (the remake)



I’ve seen the original; I still like the remake better. Who doesn’t love a good poor girl meets rich guy and falls for him but then rich guys brother falls for same girl and oh the drama that ensues…

Serious movie: The Quiz Show


I know, a weird pick, but I was young (in HS) and there was just something about Ralph Fiennes. Needless to say, I really enjoy this movie and I really enjoy all the subtext and subtle things that make the movie even more of a masterpiece.

And while we are on the subject of movies, let’s discuss some of my favorite movie snacks!

1. Muddy Bears – my ALLTIME favorite movie snack. Chocolate covered gummy bears. HELLO!?!?! Did you read that, CHOCOLATE covered gummy bears. LOVE THEM.
2. Twizzlers – and with your bag of twizzlers you need a sprite, then you can use one twizzler as a straw!
3. Milk Duds – so good, but so bad for your teeth.

Did I just say bad for your teeth? Ugh, I’m getting old.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Quick, Easy and overloaded with veggies!!

This dish took no time at all and it is so easy, versatile and tasty, it's a joke. We pick up our "Vegetable Box" CSA share on Wednesday's. I love fresh veggies.....

Squash
Zucchini
Onion
Garlic
Carrots
leftover pasta sauce
leftover grilled chicken

Cut everything and saute with sauce. Top with mozzarella cheese.



This also was a great leftover for lunch at work the next day! You can really put in any veggie you want or have on hand and it will still be fabulous.

30 Day Non-Food Challenge

Yes, this is a cooking blog, but since I can’t ALWAYS cook or bake or create, I thought I would join one of my favorite DW nesties in the 30 day blog challenge. It will give you a chance to get to know me a little more and it should be pretty entertaining. And I will still post recipes, cooking experience and some fabulous food driven adventures!

Here is the list of 30 days of blog topics…
Day 1 - your favorite song
Day 2 - your favorite movie
Day 3 - your favorite television program
Day 4 - your favorite book
Day 5 - your favorite quote
Day 6 - 20 of my favorite things
Day 7 - a photo that makes you happy
Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9 - a photo you took
Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 11 - a photo of you recently
Day 12 - something you are OCD about
Day 13 - a fictional book
Day 14 - a non-fictional book
Day 15 - your dream house
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
Day 18 - my wedding/future wedding/past wedding
Day 19 - a talent of yours
Day 20 - a hobby of yours
Day 21 - a recipe
Day 22 - a website
Day 23 - a YouTube video
Day 24 - where I live
Day 25 - your day, in great detail
Day 26 - your week, in great detail
Day 27 - my worst habit
Day 28 - what’s in my handbag/purse
Day 29 - hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - a dream for the future

Day 1… numero uno, ONE…

YOUR Favorite Song

My favorite song? Oh, this would be so much easier if it really was YOUR favorite song and not mine. I LOVE music. Like, love, would marry a lot of music and really, it is the soundtrack of my life. I could go on forever and ever about music and bands and songs and tune and albums and shows and oh boy this is a lot harder than I thought it would be. And I’m sure now everyone is saying just pick a darn song and move on girlfriend.

Hold on, before I pick ONE, is it really possible to have ONE favorite song? And what criteria are we going to base this on? I mean is it my favorite go out with the girls song, or maybe my favorite roll down the windows, driving a long the coast song or how about the I’m stuck in traffic, life sucks tune…

My favorite song to sing with the girls… Copacabana, Barry Manilow




And okay, I have a lot of favorites for driving in the car….

Baby Girl – Sugarland
Toes – Zac Brown Band
Apple Bottom Jeans – T-Pain

And I mean what about all the old songs, and my love of country and pop and 60’s and 70’s and okay, I admit it, the 80’s?

Oh and how about Jack Johnson, he’s so dreamy and his songs…so perfect for driving on Route 12 on Hatteras Island. Ooooh and I could sing Jimmy Buffet for HOURS… or Phish or the Big Wu..

We are in trouble now and this blog post is SINKING fast! Let’s just go with my favorite song of the moment:

Up On the Ridge: Dierks Bently – This song reminds me so much of driving back country roads to my ridge.



And just for fun, here is a picture from the top of our ridge looking down at our creek and cabin (we don't live in the cabin... someTHINGdoes, but not us).



Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Simple Pasta & Veggies



There are so many nights that I don't walk in the door until close to 7:00. My bedtime is close to 9, so that leaves me very little time to cook, bake, spend time with fabulous husband, work on the house, play with the dogs and cats etc etc. So when I can pull off something really simple, but tasty, I'm all about it. This recipe was really easy.

1 box pasta - shells

Lots of veggies (carrots, squash, zucchini, onion, tomato)

Fresh Parsley

Salt & Pepper

Butter

Garlic

3 Cheese mix from Whole Foods


Cook past according to box. Brown butter and garlic. Add onions, salt and pepper. Saute for a few minutes then add veggies and throw over the pasta.

DONE!

Tasty.

Enjoy. I did.

Monday, August 23, 2010

White Chocolate Blondies

I am a certified choc-a-holic. So much so that I really, firmly believe I could survive off Chocolate. I prefer milk to dark, but in a pinch, I'd eat either. Then comes white chocolate. Some believe it isn't a real chocolate. Fabulous husband on the other hand LOVES white chocolate. When we first started dating I started boning up on my white chocolate baking skills. I've made some pretty good things, but one of the easiest and most loved are the White Chocolate Blondies.

These go so fast at his family parties (it's a family thing...the love of white chocolate) that I almost feel I should double the batch, but I've tried it and it's doesn't work out so well. They certainly aren't the prettiest things in the world, but they do taste good. If you, or someone you know is a white chocolate lover, this is a must recipe for you.



Ingredients
8 ounces white chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 eggs
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup white sugar
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (Used Macadamia Nuts instead)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan. Melt white chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler, over barely simmering water. Stir occasionally until smooth. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat eggs until foamy. With the mixer still running, gradually add the sugar and vanilla. Drizzle in the melted white chocolate mixture. Combine the flour and salt; fold into the white chocolate mixture using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Fold in chocolate chips. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool pan on a wire rack before cutting into bars.
NOTES: I have learned that it is easiest to let the blondies cool, refrigerate and then cut the next day. Also, using high quality chocolate makes a big difference. Don't just buy the Nestle's morsels. I use Dove white chocolate and it really really makes a difference.
Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

PB&J...

What do you make when a 2 year old comes to visit? You are asking the wrong person, really.

But when his mom advised that he eats anything and if anything fails there is always peanut butter and jelly, I was inspired!




(I think mine look better than Martha's)



Ingredients
Makes 18
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup natural, creamy peanut butter
3 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Peanut Butter Frosting
Strawberry jam, for topping


Directions
Make cupcakes as directed in Basic Cupcake How-To, adding peanut butter before adding eggs. Use sour cream and vanilla as wet ingredients. Once cupcakes are cool, frost tops with peanut butter frosting. Place a dollop of jam in center of frosting. Decorated cupcakes will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 2 days.


NOTES: These were really good. I'm still getting used to my new (old) oven and so I overcooked them a bit, but still really tasty. I didn't use strawberry jam, I used a superfruit jelly that we had that gave it good flavor. And they are for sure 2 yo approved!

Holy Meatloaf!

The inspiration for this meatloaf is Cajun Meatloaf that I got from http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/

I have never made a meatloaf before. I don't like meatloaf. The entire idea turns me off. But I love meat and ketchup...but yeah, not meatloaf. Fabulous husband likes meatloaf. Go figure. I've mentioned making it from time to time, I searched recipes and then I found this recipe. And I still couldn't make myself do it. Then, I decided, ya know what, just do it. Stop being a sissy.


Perhaps I should have cut the recipe in half. Or a third... because if I didn't like it too bad I'd be eating meatloaf forever.

Doesn't really look so appealing, I know. BUT...

It was AMAZING. I mean like really to die for. Yes, I just said meatloaf was to die for. I pretty much followed the recipe exact. Making only a few changes I've noted below. But I feel I must caution you as no one did me. There are only two of us... this was enough to feed a family of 30 on Thanksgiving. I mean it was ridiculous. But that's what happens when you use 3 pounds of meat.


Ingredients
3 whole Bell Peppers (2 If They're Large)
2 whole Medium Onions
1 bunch Celery (5-6 Ribs)
8 cloves (to 10 Cloves) Of Garlic
6 Tablespoons Butter
1 teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire (Was out - used A1 Steak Sauce)
1 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
Optional: A Few Shakes Of Hot Sauce
2 cups Ketchup, Divided
½ cups Whole Milk
1 cup (to 2 Cups) Breadcrumbs
2 pounds Of Lean Ground Beef (92% Lean)
1 pound Ground Pork (Couldn't get any so I used sweet sausage)
3 whole Eggs
2 Tablespoons Honey

Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Chop all of the fresh vegetables (peppers, onions, celery) into a small dice and mince the garlic. Over medium-high heat, melt 6 tablespoons butter. Once butter begins to start browning, add the diced vegetables and garlic. Add about 1 teaspoon salt.
After these have cooked for a few minutes add 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon nutmeg and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper. If you like it hot, add a couple shakes of your favorite hot sauce. Next add about ½ cup of ketchup. Continue cooking and stirring for a few more minutes. Remove from heat.

After allowing the mixture to cool for a couple of minutes, add about ½ cup of milk. Stir until combined. Next add at least 1 cup of breadcrumbs. Continue adding breadcrumbs and stirring until mixture is a nice, thick paste.

In a large mixing bowl place the ground beef and pork. Whisk 3 eggs and add to the meat. After allowing the pasty vegetable mixture to cool down a bit, begin incorporating it into the meat. Keep working all of the Cajun-Vegetable mix into the meat until all is blended well.
Spray a sheet pan with some non-stick cooking spray. Next, using your hands, form your meat mixture into a loaf on the sheet pan. Make the loaf around 6-8 inches wide and about 1 ½ inches thick.

In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix together ¾ cup of ketchup with about 2 tablespoons honey. Slather this sauce over the whole meatloaf.

Place in a 400 degree oven for about 40 minutes.

NOTES: Really easy to make, but a lot of prep. BUT Very VERY VERY good. I can't even say how much I loved this. And it's a good thing because we ate it for 3 meals and some is frozen. So, who wants to come over for meatloaf?