Hello to all staying indoors today! Here in Philip, it's a chilly one with strong winds. This morning when I walked out the door to head to work, half ways I thought to myself I should of wore a stocking cap and gloves. It's that season again!

Upon arriving to work, my boss Codi mentioned how she's refraining from playing Christmas tunes and I said to her, I have had the same thought! And, it's not even Halloween yet! I've noticed over the years that stores display Christmas decorations more earlier than years in past and it tends to become depressing!

To boost my spirits over the holidays, I hosting Thanksgiving regardless if my family shows up. I think I've mentioned that before but after several phone calls with my mom there's discussion going on about the family coming out depends with my papa's work schedule. Now, I have to cook a 14 lb. turkey!

My highlight from last week: Chili cookoff! Last week, my coworkers talked me into entering chili for CBW in the cookoff. Let's just say, I lost a lot of sleep last week. This was my first time making chili and boy, oh boy! It was a fun experience and being out in the community. CBW walked away with the Best Tasting trophy, tied with the bank. But I still think we had the best tasting! I'm looking forward to it next year. Dustin and I already began thinking of recipes! Below are photos from the night.

Since the chilly weather has kicked in, I'm going to post two recipes that I have tried in the past week or so. They are so simple and tasty! I should mention most of the recipes I find come from the Pioneer Women Tasty Kitchen site. It is a fun site with a whole lot of variety!

Recipe 1: Parmesan-Garlic Tilapia Sticks
These are so easy to make and probably more nutritional than those out of the bag and taste better!
Ingredients:
1 pound Tilapia Fillets Or Any Other Firm White Fish Such As Cod
1 whole Egg
¼ cups Buttermilk
3 cloves Garlic, Pressed Or Minced Finely
1-½ cup Panko Bread Crumbs
⅓ cups Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 dash Salt And Pepper, to taste
1 cup Warm Marinara Sauce, For Dipping

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Cut fish into 1/2-inch strips and sprinkle a little salt on both sides.

In a small shallow bowl whisk together the egg, buttermilk and pressed garlic. In another shallow bowl combine the bread crumbs, cheese, and a big pinch of salt and pepper.

Dip the fish sticks into the wet mixture, letting excess liquid drip off, then coat in bread crumb mixture. Lay on a baking sheet and repeat with remaining fish sticks. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. If you want them golden brown, broil them for the last minute of baking time.

Serve with warm marinara sauce.

Makes 3-4 servings.

Recipe 2: Crock Pot Pulled Pork and Cole Slaw Sandwiches
Dustin says these are "Good Eats"!
Ingredients:
FOR THE PULLED PORK:
½ cups Ketchup
⅓ cups Cider Vinegar
⅓ cups Packed Brown Sugar
6 ounces, weight Tomato Paste
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tablespoons Yellow Mustard
1-½ teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
3 pounds Pork Sirloin Roast, Cut Into 3 Pieces
1 package Sandwich Rolls/hamburger Buns
FOR THE COLE SLAW:
1 bag (14 Oz. Bag) Cole Slaw Mix
½ cups Mayonnaise
3 Tablespoons Canola Oil¼ cups Sugar
1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar
¼ teaspoons Salt
½ teaspoons Celery Seed
1 teaspoon Onion Powder

Directions:
For the pulled pork: mix together ketchup, cider vinegar, brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, salt, and onion powder in a crock pot. Add pork and turn pieces to coat with sauce. Cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Once done, shred pork and stir to completely incorporate in the sauce.

For the cole slaw: mix coleslaw mix, mayo, canola oil, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, celery seed, and onion powder well in a large bowl. Cover and let chill for 1-2 hours.

Once pork is done and cole slaw is chilled, make sandwiches! Put some pork on your bun and top with cole slaw. Enjoy!

I hope these two recipes warm your heart! I'll be back soon with a few more recipes that I've tried. Maybe I just might mix it up and feature a "sweet" treat recipe! Well I hope you stay warm in the next couple of days. They are forecasting SNOW, it's just not right because a year ago, Dustin and I moved out here and it was beautiful! Have a wonderful day!