Day 9 - Recipe and something I'm proud of

Nancy, you are going to be really upset with me for this one! You'll be addicted after just one bite! My kids ask for this for their birthdays every year.

Heath Bar Cake

German Chocolate cake mix, prepared and baked according to package directions in 13 x 9 cake pan

2 cans of eagle brand milk - I use fat free so I don't feel so guilty

1 large bottle of caramel ice cream syrup

Medium size container of cool whip

1 Heath candy bar, crushed

Let cake cool for about 10 minutes and poke holes all over cake the end of a wooden spoon. Pour 1 can of eagle brand milk in holes, followed by caramel syrup, then 1 can of eagle brand milk. If you can wait, it's best to let the cake sit in the refrigerator overnight to soak up the syrup and eagle brand milk and frost with cool whip. If you can't wait, frost when cake is room temperature with cool whip. Top with crushed candy bar. Store in refrigerator.

Now for what I'm proud of:

I'm proud of my children. They may not always do things the way I want them to, but I'm still proud. My son, EG's daddy, spends so much time teaching her things and when he walks into a room, her face lights up and she puts her arms out and says Da. I'm proud to say he's a great dad (EG's mommie is pretty awesome too)! He also has a big heart and would give someone anything he has to help them out.

My son, Farmer Boo, started college in the fall of 2008, has worked full time every summer and taken summer classes for the past 3 years, maintained a 3.6 gpa, and will graduate in May 2012 with a major in Agriculture Business and a minor in Agronomy. He's not only book smart, he's common sense smart, and that's scary! He's great at giving advice and he's very devoted to God and his church.

Baby Chef graduated high school with 28 college hours, was in the top 4 percent in her graduating class and an honor graduate.  When she applied to culinary school, she was granted early acceptance status and was awarded a scholarship for a recipe she created. She married young and her and her Army Man have already purchased a home.

Some days, I wonder if I do anything right, and I look at my children and think...they are what I've done right.

EG's Daddy, Baby Chef, and Farmer Boo

"I worship the quicksand you walk on." Clairee Belcher





Day 8 - Recipe and something in life that gives me balance

This is my younger son, Farmer Boo's, favorite! 

Farmer Boo's Chicken Casserole

3 or 4 chicken breasts, cooked and torn into pieces

16 ounces sour cream

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 package of Ritz crackers, crushed

1 stick of butter melted

Mix cooked chicken, sour cream and soup together. Spread in greased casserole dish. Mix crushed crackers and butter and spread over chicken mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 to 30 minutes.

I'm not sure if I will ever have balance in my life...I'm not really sure I know what it means. I'm just a plain person. I like simple but I always have a project. For some reason, I feel like I need to be doing something ALL the time. So I guess being busy is what gives me "balance." For instance yesterday I had a bridal shower at my house and here's how my day went:

Watered the plants outside, picked weeds from the flower beds, swept the sidewalk

Made a tulle bows to hang on the mailbox

Folded laundry and put it away, dusted, and vacuumed

Cleaned the bathrooms, took out the trash

Made a veggie tray

Dipped 69 strawberries in white chocolate

Made the bed

Changed clothes for the shower

Picked up cuppy cakes

Made drunken weiners and punch

Finished putting everything out on the table to serve

Guests arrived

Mingled with guests and encouraged them to eat...I'm starving at this point because I didn't have time to eat earlier

Shower was a success (YEAH)

Cleaned up

Drove 60 miles to see my grandaughter, EG, my oldest son EG's daddy, EG's mommie, and my younger son, Farmer Boo

Lots of hugs, kisses, and playtime with EG

Talked to Baby Chef through a program on the Iphone that's similar to Skyppe

Dinner

Drove 60 miles back home

BEDTIME!!!

Wonderful day full of balance!

"You know, you would be a much more contented, pleasant person if you would find ways to occupy your time." -Clairee Belcher

Day 7 - Recipe and a few things on my bucket list

This is a veggie that my father in law makes and it's so YUMMY!

BBQ GREEN BEANS

4 slices bacon cut fine

¼ cup chopped onions

½ cup catsup

¼ cup brown sugar

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 cans french style green beans drained

Brown bacon pieces and onion in skillet.  Add catsup and brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer about 2 minutes, add drained green beans in casserole dish.  Pour bacon mixture over top of beans. DO NOT STIR.  Bake untouched for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.  When done baking stir lightly and serve hot.

Hehe! I don't have a bucket list but there are a few things I'd like to do. One of which is to go back to NYC with Baby Chef. I'd also like to have one day that I could do whatever I wanted without any questions such as "Why are you doing that...when are you coming home...have you lost your mind, etc. or statements such as "If you aren't home by supper what am I supposed to eat and I don't understand why you think you need a day to yourself, you don't even have kids at home anymore..."

I'm an easy person. I'm not hard to please. I don't ask much. I'm happy doing things on my own and for myself. I don't even care if I go on vacation. But oh how I'd love to have one day of peace and quiet!

"Time marches on and sooner or later you realize it is marchin' across your face." Truvy

Day 6 - Recipe and something about my best friend and what makes them special

This recipe is a favorite of my oldest son - EG's Daddy. I serve it with rice and it's wonderful!!

CHICKEN CASSEROLE

8 boneless chicken breast halves without skin

8 strips of bacon

1 c. sour cream

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 jar dried beef

Wrap 1 strip of bacon around each chicken breast. Line a large casserole dish with the dried beef. Place the bacon wrapped chicken breasts on top. Mix sour cream and mushroom soup together. Pour on top of chicken breasts and bake at 350° for about 1 hour or until chicken is done.

Baby Chef happens to be my very best friend! Before she married Army Guy and moved, we did everything together. We even finish each others sentences. Depending on the situation, we can look at each other and pretty much know what the other is thinking. There are so many things about Baby Chef that make her special. I'm her mom I'm allowed to be prejudicial!

Baby Chef came into the world independent. I was so excited to have a baby girl. I thought this is the last one and I'll cuddle and snuggle her but, she had other plans. Oh, she would cuddle and snuggle but it was when she wanted it. She's always been sassy but she's so cute, it makes it very difficult to get mad. Some people say she is a mini me. She is so much better than me. I wish that when I was her age, I would have had half the brains and independent spirit she has.  I can be in the worst mood and she knows exactly what I need to hear to turn my frown upside down.

The past month without her has been lonely but I'm so excited about all the things going on in her life. She got married, bought a new home, and started culinary school, which has been a dream of hers since she was in kindergarten. I'm so blessed to call Baby Chef not only my daughter but my best friend.

"Mama, you worry too much. In fact I never worry 'cause I always know you're worried enough for the both of us." Shelby Eatenton Latcherie

Day 5 - Recipe and book that I've read that changed my views on something

Day 5 - Recipe and book that I've read that changed my views on something

Mini Spiced Cakes

1 stick margarine, softened

1½ c. sugar

1 egg

1¼ c. applesauce

1½ self rising flour

1 heaping tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. cloves

Mix all ingredients and pour into lightly greased and floured miniature bundt pans, regular size loaf pan, or muffin cups. Bake at 350° about 25 – 30 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Cool in pans for 15 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on wire rack. Cakes can be wrapped and frozen for 4 – 6 weeks.

DANGER: THESE WON'T LAST LONG!!! My kids' LOVE 'em!!!

Today's post is the hardest so far. I've read so many books it's hard to pick just one that has made me change my view on something. Recently, I read The Confession by John Grisham. It's about a young black man who was wrongly convicted of murdering a girl in his high school. The body was not found before the conviction, but none the less, he was convicted and sentenced to death. Nine years later and several days before the execution, a man walks into a church and confesses. No one believed him until it was too late. The young black man was put to death and the real killer was free. While reading this book, I wondered how many times has this really happened? The death penalty is not something I think about very often. In fact, I never think about it unless I hear about it on the news. I can't say that I'm for it or against it. It just depends on the circumstances of the case. However, the book made me think about not only the victim's family but the convicted's family and how both sides lose a loved one.

I don't want to end this post on a sad note so I'll share a funny story about my grandmother.

Background info: My grandmother has been in and out of the hospital since December. She was recently diagnosed with early stage dementia. She broke her hip July 2nd and has had a rough month. I was visiting her in the hospital when the nurse brought her supper in. She eats a few bites and.....

Gma  to the nurse - I need you to bring me a to-go box

Nurse - Honey, you're not going anywhere, you don't need a to-go box

Gma - Yes, I do. I'm gonna take my salad and eat it for lunch tomorrow

Nurse - Sweetie, do you know where you are?

Gma  - I don't believe I do!

The nurse and I had the biggest laugh and so did gma!

Baby Chef, Army guy, Gma

Day 4 - Recipe and a picture of someplace I've been

Today I'm supposed to share a picture of someplace I've been. I haven't been many places....Washington D.C., New York City, Gatlinburg, Nashville, Ft. Benning, Georgia, and Dallas. I don't have some strange phobia about going places, I just like home.

Baby Chef and I took a trip to NYC for spring break. I was reluctant to go. My grandmother, who lives with us, had been ill since December and I didn't feel comfortable going that far away. But my sweet little daughter talked me into it and it was one of the best times I've ever had. Her choir teacher planned the trip and crammed as much fun into 5 days as he could.

Day 1 we saw the Broadway Musical Jersey Boys and walked about 2 miles.
Day 2 we saw the Broadway Musical Memphis, which is a MUST see!! We toured Ellis Island and saw the Statute of Liberty. I think we walked about 6 miles that day.
Day 3 - I don't remember too well other than the fact we walked about 7 miles.
Day 4 - we walked another 6 miles.
Day 5  - the kids competed and did exceptionally well. We walked about 9 miles that day.
We toured The Top of the Rock, Radio City Music Hall, St. Peter's Cathedral, the World Trade Center Memorial, Little Italy, Times Square, Tiffany's...and we rode the subway!!Thankfully, we walked so much because I ate a cannoli EVERY day!! Everyone should visit NYC at least once. It's a wonderful place and the subway wasn't so bad even though I did see a rat!

Times Square

 This is the easiest recipe ever and it was my grandfather's favorite.

BREAD PUDDING

1 stick melted butter

4 eggs, well beaten

1½ cups sugar

2 cups milk

5 slices bread, broken in small pieces

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients and bake at 375 degrees until golden brown.

"I'm not crazy, I've just been in a very bad mood for forty years." --Ouiser

Day 3 - Recipe and picture of me and my friends

Good morning and happy Wednesday! I don't know about everyone else but I'm ready for some cool weather and Blue Devil Football! During this time of year, football is what everyone lives for where I come from. I'm not bragging but we have always been blessed with  a great group of coaches and an amazing football team. Last night, we had our first booster club meeting for the season. Saw some old faces and some new ones. I'm excited about our upcoming season because not only is it a social event, it's a way to support our athletes.

Today is the day I share a picture of me and my friends. The picture is from Baby Chef's bachelorette party. The ladies in the picture are just a few of the precious women in my life that I'm lucky enough to call friends. 

My recipe today is one I haven't made in a while. It's a pita sandwich. It's light but filing and absolutely perfect on a hot day like today! Hope you enjoy : )

ROAST BEEF PITAWICHES

1½ cups packaged coleslaw mix

3 Tbs. fat free mayonnaise

1 Tbs. skim milk

1 tsp. horseradish mustard

¼ tsp. caraway seed

6 oz. thinly sliced roast beef

2 pita bread rounds, halved

In a small bowl mix mayonnaise, milk mustard and caraway seed. Add to coleslaw mix. Toss to coat. To assemble sandwiches, place ¼ of the roast beef and ¼ of the cabbage mixture in each pita half. Makes 4 servings.

Day 2 - Recipe and the meaning behind my blogger name

Because of my old and dear friend Nancy (and when I say old I mean we've known each other a long time), I'm posting 2 recipes. She said I needed a "nice salad." However, she didn't say what kind of salad....

Cherry Salad

1 can of cherry pie filing
1 large can of sliced mandarin oranges, drained
1 large can of pineapple tidbits, drained
1 can of  fat free eagle brand milk
1 medium size container of fat free cool whip
Chopped pecans to taste (optional)

Mix all ingredients and refrigerate until cold. This salad is very rich and could be served as dessert.

Brownies

2/3 cup of oil
4 eggs
2 cups of sugar
2 tablespoons of vanilla
1/2 cup cocoa
1-1/2 cups of self rising flour
Chopped pecans to taste (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 13 x 9 cake pan. Mix all ingredients together pour in pan and bake for 25 - 30 minutes.

Hope you enjoy!

I shared in an earlier post that my daughter began blogging when she moved to NC and she encouraged me to do the same. Being the person that I am, I asked why do you blog. She replied "so you can vent." I don't think I need to vent but I've enjoyed sharing recipes the last couple of days and most of all I've enjoyed the fellowship and comments from my friends and family who have responded.

Now for the fun part....the meaning behind my blogger name.

Baby Chef and I absolutely LOVE Steel Magnolias! I think we've watched it at least 1,000 times! We can quote most all the characters. We even have a friend that we lovingly call Ouiser. I'll share about her another day : ) The characters seem to find humor in the most devasting circumstances and are there for each other through the good times and bad. This is something I try to practice every day. I'm also known for laughing and snorting at inappropriate times.

We may not act like it- but underneath all the fluff, tears (shed and unshed), beyond pulling the "I'm scared of spiders, storms, etc." card, and all of the other things that we do that make us women, and that drive the men that love us crazy, we are as strong as steel. We are tough but we bend and we can never be broken. Although from time to time it feels like it. We are also like the magnolia. We are delicate and beautiful, sturdy and strong, and can outlast nearly anything. With all the changes going on in my life, I felt "The Life and Times of a Steel Magnolia" fit me perfectly.

Day 1- Recipe and Interesting Facts about Myself

I love to read and cook. I guess those aren't interesting facts but it's what I like. In the cooking department, I prefer baking. Baby Chef likes to cook the savory stuff. I suppose that's why we get along so well in the kitchen.

I also discovered while working on Baby Chef's wedding, that I want to be a wedding planner or event coordinator. Most people would think that planning a wedding or party is stressful. For me, it's fun...and it makes people happy, and who doesn't like happy???

My recipe for the day: Mexican Dip

1 large can of re fried beans
16 oz. sour cream
2 pkg. taco seasoning
1 med. size jar of thick and chunky salsa
Shredded cheese
1 small jar of sliced olives, drained

Spread re fried beans in dish and sprinkle generously with taco seasoning. Layer sour cream, salsa and shredded cheese. Sprinkle taco seasoning to taste on top of cheese and garnish with sliced olives. Serve with Hint of Lime chips.

Hey Ya'll!

Several months ago my daughter, Baby Chef, moved to Carolina to be with her Army Man. She began blogging. Since her wedding and her big move, she has encouraged me to blog.  I tossed the idea around, made lots of excuses as to why I shouldn't...no one wants to read about what's going on in my life, I'm too busy...so on and so forth. Well, Baby Chef took it upon herself to create a blog for me, called me up and said Mommy, it's all set up now all you have to do is write!

Anyone that knows me, knows that I can talk all day long and to anyone who will listen. This blogging thing is a bit different. I have no clue as to what to blog about. I spent a lot of time looking for topics and decided I'd do a 10 day challenge with a twist for starters.

Day 1 - Recipe with a few interesting facts about me

Day 2 - Recipe and the meaning behind my blogger name

Day 3 - Recipe and a picture of me and my friend.

Day 4 - Recipe and a picture of someplace I've been

Day 5 - Recipe and book that I've read that changed my views on something

Day 6 - Recipe and something about my best friend and what makes them special

Day 7 - Recipe and a few things on my bucket list

Day 8 - Recipe and something in life that gives me balance

Day 9 - Recipe and something I'm proud of

Day 10 - Recipe and a picture of something that makes me very happy


"Pink is my signature color."