A.C. Gilbert Heritage Society National Show

Hey y'all.  There is not recipe today.  This is an invitation for you and your family to come out next Saturday, July 8, and see some pretty incredible toys.  Some of you may be familiar with A.G. Gilbert and his toys, so of you may not be.  Gilbert made an array of toys from erector sets to chemistry sets, to magic sets.  On the 8th you will be able to see just about everything that the Gilbert company manufactured.

A little history about the Gilbert company.  The company started in 1913, in New Haven CT.  In 1938 the bought American Flyer trains, and re-designed them into S gauge trains. I could go on but that is really all the history you need on the company.  Several years ago there was a movie that came out at Christmas with Jason Alexander, "The Man that Saved Christmas".  This story is about A.G. Gilbert. Watch this movie this coming Christmas.

Come out to the Space Center Marriott on Saturday, July 8.  From 9-2 the exhibit hall will be opened for the public to come out and maybe relive a little childhood memories.  Bring the kids and grandkids and show them what toys use to look like.  The show is free and open to the public. There will be club members from about 24 different states many with unique displays and models. Please feel free to share this information with your family and friends.

 This was Joe's set up for this year's VBS.  You might see some of these items at the show this year.

 This is the display he has had at the library this month.

 You might even see a talking robot.

 A couple of years ago we celebrated Christmas in July at the show.

 There was a lucky kid Christmas morning.

 To celebrate the Gilbert company's 100th birthday in 2013 he set up at the library.

 You might see a very beautiful model like this one at the show.

 This is another display from a show a couple of years ago.

Please join us at the Space Center Marriott July 8 from 9-2.  I don't think you will be disappointed. Don't forget to tell your friends and family.  Hope we see you there.

Creamy Pork Chops and Potatoes

It's the first time I have had pork chops for a while for dinner.  We have a freezer full of beef and chicken has been at really good prices lately.  But Publix had them on sale and I couldn't resist.  So I needed a new recipe.  Headed to Pinterest and came up with this one.  It was a winner. 

The corn was good too.  There is nothing better than fresh corn on the cob in the summertime.

You can actually use as many pork chops as you need in this recipe.

Start with 3/4 cup water

Add a 12 oz can of evaporated milk.  I used fat free.

Add 2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1 pkg Lipton onion soup mix

Mix that well.  Let it sit for a few minutes.

Slice several potatoes.  Add to the bottom of a sprayed 9x13 pan.

Add the pork chops on top.

Pour the soup mixture on top.

Add some French's fried onions on top.  Cover tightly with foil.  Place in a preheated 325 oven.  Bake for 2 1/2 hours.  So it takes some planning.  You can bump the oven up to 350 if you like.  During the last half hour uncover so it will brown.

Remove from the oven and enjoy.

Serve with another vegetable and you are good to go.

Creamy Pork Chop and Potatoes Recipe

pork chops
potatoes (it says to peel them but I didn't)
1 cans cream of mushroom soup
12 oz can evaporated milk
3/4 cup water
1 pkg Lipton's onion soup mix
salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 325.  Cover and bake for 2 1/2 hours.  Uncover last 30 minutes.

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

The marathon baking session continued with zucchini bread.  There is something about squash and zucchini.  One plant seems to produce a ton of vegetables.  The double chocolate sounded good as well.  Hide a little veggies in the chocolate.  What could be wrong with that.

These look really dark but I can promise they are not burned.  These will go in the freezer today as well. 

 Don't be put off by all the ingredients this is really an easy recipe.

 First thing you want to do is grate the zucchini so you can let it sit for a few minutes and then squeeze all the liquid out of it.

 Start with 1/2 cup oil

 1/2 cup sugar

 1/2 cup brown sugar

 1 teaspoon vanilla

 2 eggs  Mix all this together.

 Squeeze the zucchini and then add.  1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini

 1 teaspoon baking soda

 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

 1/4 teaspoon salt

 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

 1 cup all purpose flour

 1/2 cup cocoa powder

 1/2 cup chocolate chips.  I used mini chips

 Mix well.  Pour into the mini loaf pans or the regular loaf pan.  Place in a preheated 350 oven.  I baked the mini loaves about 40 minutes.  A regular loaf will bake in about 45 minutes.

Let them rest in the pan for about 5 minutes, then turn out and let cool.  These are going in the freezer as well so let then cool completely.

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread Recipe

1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.  Bake mini pans about 30-40 minutes.  Large pans 45-55 minutes.

Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole

There are tons of chicken and broccoli casseroles out there to try.  I've tried several.  This one was a little different and was easy to make.  It would be a great casserole to make for dinner one night.  Another time saver would be to cook the chicken before you freeze it and then that will save you time when making casseroles.

Look at all that crunchy golden goodness. 

There are a couple of ingredients that are a little different in this recipe.

Start with 2 cans of cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

Mix that well.

Add 2 teaspoons steak sauce.

1 Tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning.  I might use less next time.

1/2 teaspoons salt and pepper

Add 2-3 cups cooked and chopped chicken.

3 cups cooked rice.  You can also use brown rice if you like.

Add to the mixture and stir well.

Add 3 cups chopped broccoli.  I use frozen.  If you use fresh you will want to cook it just a little bit first.

Melt 1/3 cup butter

While the butter is melting, put the mixture in the casserole dish.

Pour about 1 1/2 cups panic into a bowl.

Add 2 cups grated cheddar cheese on top of the casserole.

Pour melted butter over panic and stir.

Sprinkle the panic on top of the cheese.  Place in a preheated 350 oven.  Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Remove from the oven and enjoy.

Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole Recipe

2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoon steak sauce
1 Tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2-3 cups cooked chicken
3 cups cooked rice
3 cups broccoli

Topping
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups panko
1/3 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350.  Bake for 30-35 minutes.