We have a WINNER!

Thank you all so much for always checking in & following 
LARK'S COUNTRY HEART!!  It is nice to know I am not typing/sharing my thoughts for just my daughter to read. (ha, ha...Jess I love you!)

When I reached 100 followers I knew I wanted to do a Give Away.
Now I am over the 100 mark I am giving you all a "goal" to aim for.....
When I reach 200 followers I will be doing another Give Away!
So keep blabbing your head off....you will be rewarded. :)

OK.. so onto the WINNER of this Brand  Spankin' New Oster Blender.
And (2) Free coupon's for C & H Sugar! 

Congratulations...... Lisa !!.. From over at Sweet as Sugar Cookies.
*please go to my "contact Me" page and email me your shipping info.
with in 24 hrs. Or another winner will be randomly selected. 

"Super" Woman...

To the rescue!  This is Our "take" on the message this month.
I feel a TRUE V.T. is always making sure "her ladies" are ok. If it is only a phone call once a week, or a drop-in quick Hi. We have no limit's on when or how often...WE put limits on ourselves, the Lord check's in with us EVERY minute of the day.

So put on YOUR Super Hero Cape and fly into visit a friend!

Wahoo..I received an Award...

Oh I am grinning from ear to ear!

I was just awarded this Cool little award from: Melissa over at http://melissascuisine.blogspot.com/ 

Thank you so much for the "Shout Out" Melissa. 

I so enjoy checking out your wonderful recipes.

Here are the RULES that come with accepting this award:

#1 You Thank the person who awarded it to You and list a link back to them.

#2 Tell (7) things about yourself.  *Mine are listed below*

#3 Pay it forward by awarding it to (15) recently found new blogger.

 *again mine are listed below*

#4 Contact the Blogger you have awarded & make them aware.

Here are my lists:

 (7) Things about myself...

1. I am a Mother of 1 Amazing 11 yr.old Daughter. And Wife of a Very Talented Man for 13 years.

2. I LOVE anything that has a "BLING"...mostly Shoes, purses, hats, and Shirts.

3. I collect Cook Books and Willow Tree figurines .

4. My favorite Color is Pink. Favorite Type of Food is Mexican. Favorite Guilty Pleasure: Starbucks Caramel Frapp. And I ALWAYS crave Carbs.

5. I love to run Marathons! I ran (10) events in 2010, and this years goal is to run in (11)  by the end of 2011. * My next few races include: Race for the Cure, Disneyland 1/2 Marathon.

6. I try and give back to Any Charity who is helping to find a CURE to end ALL TYPES OF CANCER!  *I am currently trying to raise the required amount ($2300.00) in order to participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. Where I will go 60 Miles in 3-days to help in the fight against Breast Cancer.  YOU CAN DONATE by clicking on my link on my side bar.

7. I have always wanted to have my own Recipes published. I dream of one day telling all of my "followers or groupies as I like to call them" that they can purchase MY COOK BOOK in a store near them! :)

I WILL ACHIEVE THIS DREAM!

Now for my list of (15) "new" Blogs:

1. Trisha: Sweetology

2. Marsha: The Better Baker

3. Angie: Angies Big Love of Food

4. Kim: The Farmers Wife

5. Libby: Cooking with Libby

6. Kim: A Well-Seasoned Life

7. Mandy: Mandy's Recipe Box

8. Holly: Life as a Lofthouse

9. Jessica: the Cooking Blog

10. Heather: Basil Momma

11. Concetta: Concetta's Cafe

12. Kristi: I Should Be Mopping the Floor

13. Martha: The Kitchen Cookie

14. Haley: The Girly Girl Cooks

15. Cara: The Boys Made Me Do It!

OK , now it is YOUR turn to Pay it Forward! 

 

Week #7 Made it on Moday

So glad you dropped in. I can't wait to see
what recipe you will link up.

Please follow these simple rules.

 1. You must be a Follower of  LARK'S COUNTRY HEART

2. You MUST place my Lark's Country Heart or
     Made it on Monday  Button  on YOUR blog.

3. Please only link to your RECIPE page,
    ..not your home page.

4. Please leave me a comment saying "hi",
     and then pay it forward by visiting at least 
    (2) other link's and make a comment.

An Angel ....Floppy Hat Faye....

A Couple of weeks ago, while checking in on some of the blogs I follow I came across a post of a Very Special little Girl.  FAYE.  Once I read Faye's story I could NOT just go back to my daily life. There is always a "feeling" I get when I "click" with a new person. 
Some times it is because they remind me of someone. Others it is because of their sense of humor. Or perhaps a common interest . I just pay "extra" attention though when this happens. I have learned in the past  not question why.....but to ask myself What do I need to learn from them?

Needless to say I am always learning something....even if I am perfect just like Mary Poppins.(lol)   Well This little girl is teaching me many things!  I have never meet Faye, nor have I ever talked to her.  But let me tell you ....FAYE speaks loud and clear to my heart!
 I have  emailed her Aunt Julie a few times though and I get the strong impression that this family is a very close, loving one.

I know everyone goes  through trials, so shouldn't we all want to help someone who is going through it?  I just recently saw a Fantastic saying: Friends and Neighbor's SEE all that you do.......God sees WHY your doing them.
I think that pretty much sums it up. Reach out to someone because you should WANT to help. I think Faye would just love it if her Aunt Julie came to visit along with a WHOLE HECK OF A LOT  of Comments  of well wishes or just to say "hi" for Faye.
Why not go to her blog site and add a message?! 

http://fayesfight.blogspot.com/

Got CARB'S ??

Mom's 30 minute Roll's



Carb's are my DOWN FALL in this world!

I swear anything I ALWAYS crave is a Carb.

Why aren't all body types the same?

 Why can someone I love dear to my heart

 eat as many  potato's, rice, bread,

 pasta, tortilla's, chips...they can stand

 with not 1 pound gained? 

I really do not think it is fair.

I know , I KNOW...Life isn't fair!

 But some times we all need to vent, right?

**Oh and just for the record...

I can eat all the Veggies I want and don't gain a pound!

 

Mom's 30 Minute Rolls

 3 1/2 C. Warm Milk

1 C. Oil

3 1/2 TBSP Yeast

1/4 C. Sugar

1 TBSP Salt *you can use less if desired*

3 Eggs

7-8 C. Self Rising Flour

 

Combine first 4 ingredients, let set and activate.

Stir in remaining ingredients until forms a soft dough.

Knead softly for a few minutes. Shape into rolls.

Set off to the side covered in a warm place, let raise for 15 Minutes. Bake in a preheated oven of 375 for 12-15 minutes.

Week 6 ---TOP 3 RECIPES

Before I share this week's Top 3...
I hope you all had a wonderful & blessed Easter weekend.

We couldn't have asked for  better weather here in southern Nevada.

Our Family had a very relaxed Easter Sunday. 

Along with an AMAZING dinner of course.

Now lets get down to week 6 TOP 3  Each week we seem to grow in numbers. Which is like my home..the more the merrier. However it does make it harder for me to pick only 3 recipes. REALLY HARD !!

 Soooo  this week I picked 4 , I make up these rules as I go along, (lol)

#1 Goes to this mouth watering Foccacia Bread.

I have always wanted to make this...but for some weird reason I thought I needed a "starter" for it. So I am glad to know I don't.

By: THE PEPPERED PANTRY

 #2   I thought was perfect for this weekend dinner.

 Pineapple Chipotle  Honey Glazed Ham. YUM!

By: THE FARM GIRL

#3  I swear "spoke" to me....I mean I am the girl who orders a Chef Salad and ask them to go lite on the lettuce. (I am serious) 

This Crouton Salad is right up my ally!

By: BROWN SUGAR TOAST

#4  Not to be forgotten... When I saw these little cuties posted, it put 
a smile on my face.

I mean look how adorable these Sweet Tweets are.

By: SWEETOLOGY

 CONGRATULATIONS! Don't for get to grab a "I was featured" button.

*I can't wait to see what you all come up with for this week!*

 

Happy Easter !

I love the Spring time, Easter is the perfect Holiday to 

celebrate when all the "new life" is popping up here and there. 

I am so grateful for all my many blessings.

Family, Friends, Church, Home, Freedom, Charity, Love and Forgiveness. 

Please remember all the TROOPS, who are away from their loved ones.

Take a minute today to say THANK YOU for all of YOUR BLESSINGS.

Country Kisses & Big Bear Hug's

Lark

Amazing Crock Pot Mac & Cheese

I will be the first to admit that when I first saw a recipe for 
"Crock Pot Mac & Cheese" I though of a big pot of cheese flavored mush. And I will also admit my first attempt was just that.

Well move over mush, This is some seriously amazing Mac & Cheese!

What you will need:

1 (16 oz.) package of Macaroni

20 oz. of Sharp Cheddar..or you can make a mix of different types

1 (8oz.) pkg. Cream Cheese: cubed

1/2 Stick of Margarine: melted

2 Egg's

2 C. Milk

Salt & Pepper to taste

First Boil Pasta until it is half done, about 7-8 minutes.

Drain pasta then pour into your lightly sprayed Crock Pot.

Next add the Shredded cheese & Cream Cheese to the pasta.

*I do NOT recommend using Pre-Shredded Cheese, 

I did this once and it makes the Sauce grainy.

In a bowl combine eggs, milk salt and pepper. Beat well.

Then stir in melted Margarine. Beat together again.

Pour this mixture over the cheese & pasta. Stir until all is blended.

Cook on LOW heat for 2 hrs. Stirring occasionally.

You will be surprised at how good it taste's.

Easter Recipe Round Up

I just got "tagged" by a blogger friend The Country Cook
in a Easter Recipe round up....where using the recipes on my blog I need to come up with a Easter dinner.
So lets see what I can come up with...

I would start the meal off with serving up some appetizers: My Amazing Cheese Ball and Homemade "Napa Valley" Crackers.

Next course would be the salad:

Orange Fluff Salad

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then moving onto the soup...

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

The main Dish (no I didnt have any Ham recipes posted yet):

Bacon Wrapped Chicken

And just because I can I would serve (2) desserts.

Lark's Famous Cream Puff's

Creamy Dreamy Cheesecake

*ALL THESE RECIPES ARE LISTED IN MY RECIPES PAGE*

Now it is my turn to "Tag" a few of my blogger friends to make up their own Easter Dinner.

Angies Big Love of Food

A Well-Seasoned Life

Basil Momma

Cooking with Libby

Life as a Lofthouse

Sweetology

The Better Baker

HOPPY EASTER CRAFT

Just made up a few of these little Bunnies for my Activity Day Girls.
Super easy to make! Just need a wash cloth, ribbon or tulle, pom, pom,
and googlie eye's.

Roll your wash cloth, starting from a corner.
Fold in half, and then bend "ears" back opposite way.
Wrap tulle or ribbon around to tie off under the "chin".
Then tie a bow with another color for the bunnies collar.
Glue on the eye's, nose & tail.

It will hold a Chocolate Egg, in the back.

I have hit the FIRST BIG 100 FOLLOWER'S !!!

Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!

When I first started this blog, I thought of it as a way to organize all MY recipes to make it easier to put together for another personal cook book.

It has turned into so much more! 

I am still posting and organizing my recipes. 

And I am still holding out with my finger's crossed that someone will want to 

publish my recipes. I KNOW I will have that dream come true!

I couldn't have made it this far with out all of YOU. My followers!

Aka: Lark's Groupies!  :)  I always wanted to have groupies..it just make you sound so COOL!

So Because YOU all are such COOL people. Along with being new found friends.

I am Giving a way this totally awesome, hip, Oster Blender!

 And because you all are so SWEET...

I am also throwing in (2) FREE coupons for C&H Sugar.

 Now it's up to you to get the fresh fruit and fixings for a smoothie! 

To enter the Give a Way:  Be a follower of Lark's Country Heart

 Grab a Lark's Country Heart Button & post it on your blog.

and for a BONUS entry: Give me a recipe where you use your blender.

The winner will be chosen on APRIL 30th

MADE IT ON MONDAY (Week 6)

Time to link up all those "favorites"....
It's EASY PEASY to enter! Just do the following:

Be a "follower" Of Lark's Country Heart
Link up your recipes (up to 3) * just link the recipe post please*
Then spread the "love" by visiting 2 or more of the blogs that linked up.
And I will make my Top 3 pick's on Monday! 

Lark's Chicken Divan

This dish is so Sinfully Good! I don't fix it very often though, because of the Calories. *If you are one of those people who can eat what ever you want when ever you want it...well then I hate you. Just kidding! I am just NOT one of the "lucky ones", so I don't get to enjoy this dish as often as I dream about. I have tried to lighten up this recipe a bit. It tasted just as good to me. So YOU go ahead and make it YOUR way.
  *If you do want to lighten the calorie count, just substitute the soup, sour cream, and mayo with the Fat Free version.

4-5 Skinless, boneless cooked Chicken Breast's
4 C. Fresh Broccoli Florette's 
1 (10 3/4 oz.) Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 C. Mayo
1/2 C.Sour Cream
1 tsp. Curry Powder
1 tsp. Lemon Juice
2 C. French's Fried Onion
Salt & Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375
In a 9x13 pan layer Chicken on the bottom of pan.
Then cover the chicken with the Broccoli .
In a bowl stir together the remaining ingredients; except Fried Onions.
After stirred together well, pour over the Broccoli.

Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove foil, Sprinkle the fried onions on top.
Return to the oven (not covered) for another 15 minutes. 

Made it on Monday Top 3

This was the hardest Top 3 to pick yet.....I LOVE that we are growing in numbers.

There are so many great blogs out there. And a Linky  Party is the funnest and easiest way to find them. 

*For those who have been on the TOP 3, don't forget to grab your "I've been featured" button. It really isn't bragging....I CHOSE you!  * 

And here they are: #3

Grilled Mushroom's w/Bacon  By: the Kitchen Goodie

#2 is this lip smackin goodness

Strawberry Cobbler  By: Simply Red

 And the #1 pick for last week...

Luscious Lime Cheesecake  By: A Well-Seasoned Life

Thank you all so much for linking up! And Ladies.......It is a PRIZE WEEK! 

That means you get a little "goodie" from me!  :)

*Please go to my "contact me" page and send me your shipping address*

Have a GREAT WEEK! And I will see you all back here for more fantastic recipes.

Made it on Monday  Link ups are on Wed.-Sat.

 

RELAY FOR LIFE....2011

 

Was held in Las Vegas  this past weekend. I believe there were (4) different Relay for Life event's all going on this last Fri.-Sat.  here in Las Vegas.

My husband's work (Stratosphere Hotel & Casino) had a "Team". 

So Our Family decided to do it together with his co-workers. 

Our Relay event was held at the UNLV Track.

It started on Friday evening (6:00pm) and ran through the night, 

ending on Saturday at Noon. 

My "pretty" feet BEFORE the Relay.

We were a "small" group....but that didn't stop us from having a GREAT time!

My daughter Jessica and I

(From right to left) Neil:( aka Leo), My Man Matt, Our "Leader" Angie

 

 

Jessica, Mercedes and Alexis

Angie set up our tent earlier in the afternoon. Later  Neil (aka Leo), and Matt were sent or should I say volunteered to go get the B.B.Q. grill, makings for Smores, snacks, and a sun shade. While Angie, the girl's and  I stayed on the track walking.

*Notice...it is still daylight*

 I am not quite sure WHY it took so long for the men to get back....... however I am pretty sure I walked for a good 2 hours.  :)

Still walking!

This is how dark it was when the men showed up and joined in on the walking . 

(And they say women take long shopping?) (lol)

 And still going STRONG!

We would take turns visiting the Port-a-Jane's  and grabbing a snack.

 Angie grabbing a snack

 Our Family each purchased a Luminary to decorate  in Memory of a loved one who lost the fight against cancer. I made mine in Memory of my Grandpa Marcum. My husband's was in Memory of his Dad. Jessica said she wanted to make it in HONOR of finding a CURE. (I was so proud of her!)

 

We each TRIED to grab a "nap"...but morning came and with only getting a couple hours sleep...we all NEEDED a Coke to wake us up to keep us going!

All in all it was a GREAT weekend as a family and new made friends! At the Closing Ceremony it was announced that the UNLV Relay event raised over 54 Thousand dollars! GO Rebels! 

My "pretty" Blistered feet after 16 hours of walking.

If you have ever wanted to make yourself feel GREAT....Volunteer!

If it's Money or Time, there are so many great Charities to help.

I am currently trying to raise the required $2300.00 in order to participate in the 

SUSAN G. KOMEN 3-DAY FOR THE CURE, held in Arizona in November. 

I was able to do this event last year. 

Finishing 60 Miles in 3 Days all for finding a cure. 

And I would love the honor of being able to do it again.

ALL $2300.00 goes to the KOMEN Foundation....to help find a Cure!

If YOU or someone you know wishes to donate or sponsor me for this great cause, PLEASE leave a comment and I will get in touch with you!

Thank you! WE ALL will benefit  when a CURE is Found!