parmesan pork chops

I am always on the look out for low carbohydrate recipes - or ways to cut back the carbs in favorite recipes.


The original version of this pork chop recipe called for a bread crumb coating. I changed things up a bit and used parmesan cheese for the coating instead.

Here's what you need - boneless chops 1" thick, real mayonaise, garlic salt, black pepper and parmesan cheese.

I cut my own chops from a boneless pork loin that was on sale.  I wanted them to be at least an inch thick so they wouldn't dry out.

So, you just spread a generous coating of mayonaise on each chop, sprinkle with garlic salt and black pepper, then dredge in parmesan cheese.

Flip to the other side and do the same thing...

Bake on a rack or broiler pan in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes until chops are cooked through.

I turn on the broiler for a few minutes at the end to get the parmesan browned and melted.

Tastes better than using breadcrumbs!

These hold up well as leftovers, too.

a crochet baby afghan

First...I have been noticing that the term "afghan" is seldom ever used these days to refer to crocheted and knitted blankets.
As I was growing up, my Granny, who crocheted a lot of them, always called them "afghans".

It seems not as descriptive to refer to one as a baby "blanket", and to call it a baby "throw" conjurs up images of some horrific contest where babies are being....well, you get the picture.

So, whatever you call it - I have finished one.

The pattern for the block is 6" Mum Flower, and you can find it HERE as a free download.

With the extra rows of crochet border, this one finished at 27" x 36".  I didn't block it but I should have flattened some of those mums out in to shape a little better before I took the photo.

This is the first thing I have completed up since I vowed to finish up all of my partially done projects.

And it's definitely time for this one to be finished.  I see that my printed pattern says 2009 !!

That's when I first started making the blocks - yikes!

Yep, Nine years is long enough.  This one will be donated - maybe to Newborns in Need.

all purple flowers are blooming

It sure is nice to see some spring blooms.  But it seems like nearly all of mine are purple.

Especially in this area. That's May Night Salvia in the front and large Iris in the back.

These smaller Siberian Iris are also in the above photo but hard to see - so here's a close up.

I like the mix and contrast of the Siberians with the larger Iris.

In the same bed but blooming only at the top of the arch...are my Clematis - also purple.

Later in this same area my purple butterfly bush will be blooming.

I do have some different color in another bed...these pretty peach colored Iris and also some bi-color Iris there in the rear.

And, the Peony is blooming - white.

And a Viburnum - also white.

Wouldn't it be a sight if all things bloomed at the same time, like in a Thomas Kincade painting?

It would be overwhelming though.

I like all things blooming in their turn.  So what will be next?   I think maybe Daylillies.

wool pressing mat

No matter what sort of hobby you're interested in, there are always lots of people trying to figure out some sort of specialty gadget or accessory that they can get you to buy.

Usually, I try to be careful not to buy a bunch of extra quilting supplies (although I do have a weakness for pattern books), but occasionally something will come along that I just have to buy.

That was the case with this wool pressing mat.

I kept seeing the mats being mentioned by my favorite quilting bloggers and on online message boards.  Everyone seemed to love the way that pressing quilt blocks on the mat would give such good results...nice flat seams.

I ordered mine on Amazon (here)  It had all good reviews.

The wool mat is nice and thick - designed to hold the heat so the item being pressed is heated from above and below.

Time to give it a try...

Yep, I can see a difference!  I think it will be even better using my full size iron...this mini one doesn't get as hot.

One thing I noticed though...a bit of moisture under the mat after using it, even though I didn't use steam. I will have to remember to flip it after use to let that evaporate.

Overall I'm happy with the purchase and would recommend this item to anyone who quilts.