Coastal Oaks

Bite size treats are some of my favorite things to eat. Although I've heard that you end up eating more....On the other hand bite-size treats are usually more labor intensive. But on Saturday afternoons when you are ho-humming around the house they can be fun! Plus I have a fan club that is very nice and encouraging of my food blog hobby. I call them my Taste-Testing Committee.  Bacon Wrapped Honey Smokies Recipe 12 strips of bacon 1 package lil smokies 1/2 stick butter 1 cup brown sugar, divided Preheat oven to 375.  Cut bacon strips into 3 or 4 pieces and wrap each smokie with a piece of bacon. Place all smokies in a single layer in a baking dish.  In a small sauce pan, melt butter and 3/4 cup brown sugar. Stir until mixed well.   Spoon/ Pour mixture over smokies.  Sprinkle remaining brown sugar on top.  Bake 15- 20 minutes. Turn oven up to 400 and cook for another 5-7 minutes or until bacon is crispy.  Yield: 36-40 bites ...

Normally the content of my blog is based on food and content related to the League City and local Galveston Bay area. However, when I find myself in other areas I'm still drawn to food culture! My family and I found ourselves in town, Houston that is, with some extra time on our hands.  What does a foodie do with extra time when in the city???? Visit the specialty food giant of course! My heart just flutters when I know I get to go to Central market. When I was in college for my undergrad I took a class called International marketing. It was a summer class. One of our "projects" was to consider and learn more about international products especially food and how these items made their way into the US and into our hearts. So we took a field trip to Central Market. How cool is that?!?!? My project grade was dependent upon going and enjoying myself at Central market! Can you say EASY A+!!! I'm not sure I have ever left this grocer without spending a C note! Also since...

Good Morning everyone! Today is a Sunny Side up kinda morning. Spring is definitely in the air! Hope you have a great morning and weekend!

On my way to work I pass a restaurant that always puts a funny saying on their sign. This morning's message was "Is it okay to listen to AM radio in the afternoon?" Ha! Very cute, I must say. Who loves Tacos? I do, I do! All the same taco ingredients in a cute little package! The only trick is finding the Wonton wrappers. I tried Kroger, Wall-mart, and Randall's which are all very close to me and had no success. Thankfully, my husband works near a Phoenician store. They had them! You'll have to look at a specialty food store. They will be in the freezer section near the puff pastry and filo dough. You can keep them in the freezer for quite some time and then thaw in the fridge before making this recipe or any other. They hold their shape really well. I bake mine until crispy which is my preference but you'll figure out what tastes best for you. Taco Cups Recipe 1lb ground beef 1 (1.25oz) pack Taco seasoning 36 Wonton wrappers 1 (16oz) can re-fried be...

One of our favorite weekend activities is taking our dog a walk and one of our favorite places to do that is Clear Lake Shores. Its a great walk because its on the water and very quaint. Matt and I always dream about which house we would pick as our retirement home. I would have taken and posted those pictures but I felt that would have been wrong. Instead I took pictures of the area so you can see what a nice place it is. There is a public boat ramp too that allows direct access to the Kemah Boardwalk. Since you all love pictures here are some of my favorites: Some friendly ducks... Boat slips with a view of the Nasa side of the water. "Clear Lake Shores is regarded as "The Yachting Capital of Texas", as the city has more boat slips than people " as stated from their city website. This is a picture of an old tree that died. Since the tree would have been super costly and difficult to remove they got a wood carver to make this then pain...

I believe when you live in the south there a certain expectations of you . We are known for our welcoming persona and hospitality.  For example,  W hen someone is walking out a door , especially a woman or someone older than you ; you should open the door for them out of re spec t; Whe n you are in a n environment where there are limited seats and you will be waiting awhile, you should give up your seat to anyone older or struggling to stand ;   and W hen someone invites you to their home for any type of event you DO NOT go empty handed, take a bottle of wine , a little relish dish or even a dessert.   It is just the SOUTHERNLY th ing to do! =)   These little b ites below are a small and easy thing to bring to one of these ev ent s. Or just to make at home to enjoy you rself. =) Blue Cheese Bites Burger Mixture: 1lb lean ground beef 1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 oz. blue cheese crumbled 2 tsp Worcestershire Baking M...

Last night was a very sad night in our household. My George Foreman grill died.... =( I think I've had that thing since college. We laid it to rest last night with a final salute to all the grease it saved our bodies. Rest in Peace George Foreman Grill.  On to happier topics... Gosh I sure hope we are on our last cold front for the year. I was hoping to get some sun on my pasty white legs this past weekend but that did not work out. Since it was cooler we decided to do some yard work instead. Coincidentally I was planning on making soup. Not to mention I had some strong suggestions and pleas to make my tomato basil soup. I warn you, this is a weekend recipe and makes great leftovers. It is also worth every minute you spend making it, I promise. Tomato Basil Soup 2 (14oz) cans diced tomatoes with juice 1 1/2 cup finely diced celery (preferably pureed in food processor) 1 1/2 cup finely diced carrots (preferably pureed in food processor) 1 1/2 cup finely diced onion (pre...