Spicy Dr Pepper Pork Crockpot Style

Pork roast is one of our family favorites and I was excited to try a different version like the Pioneer Woman Spicy Dr Pepper Pulled Pork (can we add more words to that name?) 

Hoping to find a 5 lb roast, I came home with the smallest one I could find, 7lbs.  Hope the leftovers are good 'cause that's a lot of meat!

We had a few projects going on that day that took us away from the house.  This was perfect for the crockpot and it was ready when we returned home.

Roast isn't complete without onions.

I always add more onions...

Salt and pepper this hunk and put it on top of the onions in the crock pot.



Sometimes my grocery list is not specific.  I've never cooked with "chipotle peppers in adobo sauce" (can we also add more words to that?).  I think I was more concerned with getting the correct peppers and didn't pay attention to HOW MUCH to get!   So I came home with 1 can which was not enough.  How can it be spicy pork without enough peppers?  And I am not going back to the store, no time for that.

The Bassman reminded me that we have dried chipotle peppers in the cabinet so I sprinkled on some of that.  He LOVES peppers and hot spicy foods, but has not been a fan of chipotle peppers.  Yet he was keeping an open mind (and mouth :) ) on this dish.

Add in the foamy Dr Pepper.  I've baked ham with coke before, but not Dr Pepper.

After about 6 hours on High, it's falling apart.

Pull out the bone and chunky fat that may be left.

I decided to serve it with a side of steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes.  The Bassman propped those peppers on the side for the photo.  Didn't he do good?  And doesn't that roast look good?  Very moist meat with a smooth, smokey, spicy flavor (can we add more words to that?)!

We prepared 2 dinner plates (Bassman had seconds) and 2 leftover plates.  There is still PLENTY of roast to fold up in a few tortillas like the PW did.  Sounds so good with the cool cheese, tomato and cilantro.  Yum, I am looking forward to that!

And one of these containers is going in the freezer for later!  This was a great change up to pork roast and to traditional southern smoked pulled pork.

Kerry

Linking with Sweet As Pie Cooking Club

Side Table Metamorphosis

Trying to furnish a house or even a room by refinishing or redoing old stuff has kept me busy for a while.  I had no trouble finding projects to fill the time in my empty nest! 

This 1980's side table cost $4 at a thrift store.  It was solid and not in real bad shape, but looked like someone had used it as a work table.   Yep, if you've been reading along, another redo for the college house.

My upholstery instructor said he likes to use Cabot penetrating stain, so that's what I'm using.  Hopefully after a good sanding, the dark walnut color will look something like this when it's all done:



Pottery Barn

It already looks much better after just 1 coat of stain!  

I applied 2 coats according to the directions on the can.

Then applied the sealer, 3 coats. 

Seems no matter how thin I thought each layer was, there is still a drip every now and then!



I liked how the stain didn't quite penetrate everywhere.  It left a lightly distressed look without even trying!  I'm not sure if this is because it still had some old sealer that I missed with the sander or if the oak wood just didn't accept the stain. 



I delivered it to the college house and didn't get photos of it in use!   But I was pleased with the way it turned out.  Pottery Barn-ish.  I think a basket with a throw or books underneath would complete the look!

Do you have a favorite Pottery Barn side table?

Kerry

Linking over at Metamorphosis Monday and You're talking too much:

PW Breakfast Burritos

Boy am I way behind with this.  But for a good reason.   Seeing how many this makes, I wanted to wait for the family to be home to enjoy them.  And enjoy them we did!  Pioneer Woman Breakfast Burritos was one of our selections at the Sweet As Pie Cooking Club last month.  I saw her make these on her Food Network show and they looked so easy.      This is definitely a keeper and should work well to make half a recipe.

I used the frozen southern style hash browns.   The pan is already full!   Add to the to-do list:  get bigger pan.

While the taters are cooking, chop the pepper...

...and have some coffee...

...and grate the cheese...and make some noise because everybody is still asleep.  Except the Bassman and well you can probably guess where he is.  Yep, gone fishing.

I just used our favorite seasoning in the egg mixture...

Smells good, looks good

Pile it on the burrito...

I kept them warm in a 200degree oven.  Then when each sleepy head wandered into the kitchen, they could grab one when they got ready to eat. 

This is mine, I'm not waiting on anyone!



Hmm....hmmm...hmmm

Kerry

I'm sharing this over on our new PW Potluck tab since I missed the post last month!

I am a Blogger Groupie

Is there a Blogger's Anonymous group yet?  If not, maybe I'll start one.  I am the woman at the well and I am a blogger groupie.   There, I said it. 

It began when I started following Christy Jordan (Huntsville, AL) of Southern Plate.  I went to her cooking show and cookbook debut at the University of North Alabama.  I had no idea how these things worked and never really cared about autographs so I didn't take my cookbook or my camera!  But I did meet her and chatted for a long time few seconds.

Her  Chicken Noodle Soup is really good.  Never eat the canned stuff again!  I sent this virtual bowl of soup to her Facebook page when she posted that she was under the weather.  Her comments were gracious and some of her other friends asked questions about the soup.   So we had a little moment that day on Facebook.

Recently I met a few members in "The Mix" of the Sweet As Pie Cooking Club when we took a field trip to The Pioneer Woman book signing.  It was fun to meet them and join the other 300 fans there!  We were early enough to be right there up front and center!  But no, we were busy chatting and visiting and didn't think to MOVE UP while all those other groupies fans piled in front!  We did get great line numbers though, we were number 76.

Other local popular bloggers that I follow were there too!    Kevin and Layla (Prattville, AL) of The Lettered Cottage were there.  They were so nice and are so talented and so patient with all of us groupies fans.   They told me they are having fun just going with whatever opportunities their blog opens up for them.   Their shutter headboard on the HGTV website is what inspired the college headboards that I made.   The talented lady (Troy, AL) behind Perfectly Imperfect was there too.  If only I recognized her, I would have met her too!

Finally, I get to meet Ree!  She was friendly and we talked about her dog Charlie.  I used to have 2 bassett hounds years ago and she said I should get some more, they're so funny!



Ree and me

Jennifer, the Sweet As Pie Cooking Club founder, shared the online club with Ree.   Ree nodded, smiled and seemed flattered!  She left some information with Ree so hopefully she'll have a few minutes between book signings to check us out!  Wouldn't that be sweet as pie? 

It was such fun getting to know Jenny and Amanda too!

Now, I wonder which blogger I'll meet next.    Have you met a favorite blogger?

Kerry

Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Zucchini and Feta

Believe it or not, I made this recipe before I joined the Sweet As Pie Cooking Club and now it has shown up as one of our selections!  Yay! 

Make this Pioneer Woman Pasta salad with tomatoes, zucchini and feta but get ready to feed an army!  Or maybe a big family or your next potluck.   Seriously, it makes more than the 12 servings indicated on the recipe. 

Nothing special about the preparation really.  Get the pasta cooking according to the directions.

Chop the veges into bite-sized pieces.  

Chop the parsley.

Slice the lemon and get ready to squeeze!

  

Stir it all together with olive oil, salt and pepper.

I liked it.  I did add more feta.  Next time I'll have more tomatoes and zucchini and less pasta.  Call in the troops, it's time to chow down!

Kerry

I'm linking with the Sweet As Pie Cooking Club

and

DIM Lamp

I was inspired by all the lamp transformations across blog world and wanted to Do-It-Myself.   I had the perfect candidate.   It's OK to admit that you might have one of these in your home.

I started out trying to make a pattern for the lampshade.  I would never make it as a graphic designer because my pattern ended up with 6 sides when the lampshade only has 4!  Haaa ha ha!  I have no idea how that happened!

I decided to "fit" the fabric to the shade.

Like so, place the fabric over the shade and shape it around.  I made a few pencil marks to help out.



Using Easy-Tack, spray the shade all over the outside.

Press the fabric onto the shade and trim.  I trimmed a little at a time until I got the fit that I was looking for.

Turn under the edges and use the hot glue gun to secure it under the shade.

I love the burlap covered lampshades at the Pottery Barn.  This fabric with a loose weave worked well for this project.

I spray painted the lamp stand using brushed nickel.   Just do a few light coats for an even finish. 



Had to pet the kitty because I have ignored him all this time.

I am satisfied with how it turned out.  Much better than the original lamp!  Maybe I'll use burlap for the next one.

And I think the kitty is trying to tell me something...

I have a yellow lamp just like the blue one...thinking of my next lamp transformation...

Kerry

I'm joining these parties:

The Lamp Challenge over at the

Beneath My Heart Best DIY Projects of April 2012