RACHAEL RAY!!

Last weekend I read in the paper that Rachael Ray was going to be in town doing a book signing of her most recent cookbook at the Cool Springs Williams-Sonoma. Being one of her "groupies" and the fact that Emma likes her too, and loves to cook with her mom, I decided this would be a memory-making day for Mommy and Daughter. I quickly called the store to see how to see her, and they said you have to buy a cookbook from our store, and that is your ticket in.....you can get up to 5 cookbooks. Great!!! How much are they? $24.95......Really, I'm pretty sure I just saw it at Costco for $15, but......I'm making a memory. I'll take 2, one for me, and one for Emma to have when she goes off to college. I know she will remember this day forever........she's only 5. Now, we all know that this day is totally about me......who am I kidding? So, I let her play hookie from school, and we headed to the mall, getting there at 11:30 a.m. The book signing started at 1. It is pouring down rain, cold, I have no umbrella, and we take off hand in hand, singing in the rain to see Rachael Ray. "Oh My, what are all of these people doing here?" The were herds of people, already with their cookbooks in hand, lined up sitting down from Williams-Sonoma, all the way down to and around Macy's all the way to EyeMasters. By the way, we hadn't had lunch yet. I go to the desk and get our cookbooks, then head to the back of the line. A rep came by and said that Rachael could sign 1500 books in 4 hours, and so far half were in line. Let's do the math.....that means we are about number 750. It is going to be a long day. And it was. Try entertaining a hungry 5 year old in line for 2 1/2, yes, 2 1/2 hours. Thank goodness Williams-Sonoma brought around snacks and drinks, Rachael Ray's recipes, of course, for us to nibble on. Yes, it was a long 2 1/2 hours, but we made the memory, have the photos, and it was worth it.....I think. Oh, I forgot to say that at one point, I spilled hot chocolate in the bag where I was keeping the cookbooks (we were looking at them at the time) so I didn't want to get the cookbook's dirty, so I emptied the wet trash out of the bag, into the trash can, only to realize as the line began moving that my "ticket" was part of that trash, so, yes, I had to dig through the mall trash can to retrieve my "ticket". 'Tis the Season!!! Here are some yummy "nibblers" that they served us. Little Bitty Cheese Balls. Genious, that's why she is famous. Enjoy!!!

CHEESE AND NUT BALLS

8 oz cream cheese softened
4 Tbls butter softened
10-oz shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1/3 cup mango chutney, chopped
1 cup macadamia nuts, chopped
2 handfuls of fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Beat the cream cheese and butter together in a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon or a handheld mixer. Add the cheddar, chutney, half the nuts, and half the parsley and combine thoroughly. Chill the mixture overnight, or until very firm. The next day, scoop the mixture out by tablespoons and form into balls. Roll the balls in the reserved nuts and parsley. Small balls can be served over mild greens, and fruit or salad.

'TIS THE SEASON

It's here!!! Christmastime. It is our favorite holiday, and we've even got the cold weather here to make it even more festive. I've learned that if I just wear my silk long underwear, I'm not miserable. That extra layer makes all the difference. We've started the long process of getting the millions of decorations out, and little Emma is like a kid in a candy store. I can't keep her out of stuff, but I'm just so glad she is enjoying it. She single handedly unwrapped 3 "moss" Christmas gifts that I had made for decorations. Moss was all over the house, and we'll be cleaning it up all season. That's ok, though. She seems to be seeing it with different eyes this year, and I love seeing the "wonder" in her face. We've been watching Christmas movies galore.....Elf is so hilarious, had Breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning, the Franklin Christmas parade that afternoon (Emma was in it) had a cookie exchange yesterday afternoon, and went to Steve's choir concert last night. Tonight Andrew has his 1st Christmas Band Concert. So.........'tis the season. Enjoy this hearty pasta dish!!! Thanks Debbie Johnson.


DOUBLE CHEESE HAMBURGER CASSEROLE

LAYER 1:

1 POUND GROUND BEEF
1 CLOVE GARLIC, CHOPPED
1 TSP SUGAR
1/4 TSP PEPPER
1/2 TSP SEASONED SALT
1 TBLS SOY SAUCE
1 (15 1/2 OZ) CAN TOMATO SAUCE

LAYER 2:

4 OZ MEDIUM EGG NOODLES, COOKED AND DRAINED

LAYER 3:

1 (3-OZ) PKG CREAM CHEESE, SOFTENED IN MICROWAVE
1 CUP SOUR CREAM
1/4 CUP CHOPPED GREEN ONIONS

BROWN MEAT, AND SIMMER REMAINING INGREDIENTS IN LAYER 1 FOR 20 MINUTES. PLACE IN 9 X 13 CASSEROLE DISH. PLACE LAYER 2 ON TOP. SPREAD LAYER 3 ON NOODLES AND SPRINKLE GRATED CHEESE OVER ALL. BAKE AT 350 FOR 30 MINUTESJ

Thanksgiving.....family, food, fun and football!!!

I still haven't fully recovered from the comatose state I always go into after eating the Thanksgiving meal. I stopped counting after my 5th helping of cornbread dressing.....then there were Aunt Liz's shrimp, the turkey, of course, fresh and canned cranberry sauce, homemade applesauce, sweet potato casserole, green bean bundles, creamed corn, rolls, and it was the pecan pie that simply put me over the edge. I'm not kidding......my stomach is still stretched out from the meal, and because of that, I seem to have to fill it up more each day now that I'm home. This must stop.......but before it stops, I have to give you the recipe for the applesauce muffins (thanks Beth) I made today to go along with Mama's spiced tea. They are wonderful, and the kids devoured them. Sprinkle on the powdered sugar, and enjoy them warm. Heaven!!! J

Applesauce Muffins

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

3 tsp vanilla, divided

4 cups flour, sifted

1 tsp ground cloves

2 tsp allspice

3 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking soda

2 cups original applesauce, not unsweetened

Cream butter and sugar....add eggs and 1 tsp vanilla. Sift together the flour and spices and add to the creamed mixture. Blend 2 tsp vanilla and the baking soda into the applesauce. Stir applesauce mixture into the other with a wooden spoon (I don't know why!) Batter will be stiff. Spoon batter into greased muffin tins or paper muffin cups 1/2 full. Bake at 400 for 12 minutes or until done. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve hot with butter, or not.....Batter will keep in the refrigerator a few days.

Ok, I know. I'm falling down on my duties as a blogger! Steve has been in Hawaii with Disney, and when Daddy's gone, so is blogging. He's home for awhile, so I'll be better. We had a very fun Halloween. Emma couldn't decide exactly what to wear, so she had several different outfits. I'm convinced that she will be some sort of designer. The things she puts together! As always, Cottonwood was happening Halloween night. Several families came over for soup and treats, then it was off for Candy!!! A beautiful night! The boys are machine trick-or-treaters. They come home with enough candy to supply their lunchboxes through the end of the school year. Hope yours was fun. Here's you my favorite roast recipe. It's perfect every time, and is actually an easy recipe from Emeril. Enjoy!!! J

Garlic-Studded Pot Roast

One 3-4 pound chuck roast

10 cloves garlic

3 TBLS oil

1/2 cup water

Kosher or sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Flour

Bring roast to room temperature......very important. Cut slits in both sides. Cut the garlic cloves in half and stuff in the slits. Generously coat roast with salt and pepper. Heat oil in covered skillet......I use an electric one, but have also done it on the stove. Brown roast on all sides......I mean really brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove roast, pour in water and scrape all giblets off of bottom. Put roast back in and turn down to a simmer. Cover. Cook 3 hours then turn off and leave covered about another hour. I sometimes turn the roast halfway during cooking. Remove the roast and slice......turn the skillet back on with the juices in, then sift in flour while whisking for a delicious and smooth gravy. Use as much as you want for however thick you like it. So yummy!!!

The Nerds

I did something last night that I haven't done in so long. I literally laughed until I cried. It felt so good! We went to some friend's Halloween party, and played their version of "The Newlywed Game", but what was so hysterical was this book they incorporated into it......called, ZOBMONDO! It does comparisons like.....would you rather spit every time you spoke, or be spit on every time you are spoken too.....would you rather fall into the hole in an outhouse, or be buried under a pile of dead animals......would you rather have a butt on your forehead, or little legs dangling from your chin. The list goes on and on, and the book is full of them. Steve and I were uncontrolably laughing. Considering the economy and the state of real estate......the laughter was perfect timing. We went as "The Nerd Family".....a great budget costume, by the way. Tonight the "boys" are watching the Titans game, little Emma is sleeping, but just an hour ago I was hearing drums upstairs, a clarinet in the kitchen, piano in the living room, now I am a music lover, but boy.......combine that with a 5 year old getting ready for bed....well, let's just say, This Joint Was Jumpin'!!! Now I know it isn't Christmas yet, or even Thanksgiving, but it is cold here, and this drink is very beloved any time, so I am sharing it with you now. My Mom's Spiced Tea. Anytime someone would come over to our house during the holidays, she would always offer them some of her spiced tea. It is the best and I hope you enjoy it. J

MOM'S SPICED TEA

4 cups water
2 cups sugar
4 cinnamon sticks
1 TBLS whole cloves

Stir these 4 ingredients together and simmer for 10 minutes, then strain into a larger stock pot. To this add, 1 small can frozen lemonade and 1 small can frozen orange juice. Let juices thaw. While thawing, make 2 cups strong tea using 2 cups water with 6 or 7 small tea bags (I use decaf) When juices thaw, pour in tea and add 10-12 cups of water......depending on how strong you like it. Best served warm. So sweet and wonderful.

14 YEARS!!

Ok, I'm coming back to life after my trip. The price you pay for having fun. This week Steve and I celebrated our 14th anniversary! We have figured out that "lunch dates" are, well, not quite as romantic, but very economical with lunch menus and not having to pay babysitters. Plus, this time I had a coupon for a free appetizer. We enjoyed our time at "Sol", the Latin restaurant downtown Franklin. He gave me a beautiful pearl necklace from India, and my gift to him......don't laugh......nonstick skillets. Can you believe with the amount of eggs we cook, we didn't have a nonstick skillet? He is the egg man, and has constantly complained about having to scrape the eggs off of the skillet, so, that was his gift! He LOVED them!!! I dressed up, as if going out on a "night" date.......wore my Spanks with my very tight jeans, and boy, I can't tell you how fast I drove home to pull those babies off and get into my sweat pants. After homemade guacamole, and chicken/goat cheese quesadillas, they were even more uncomfortable than they were to begin with........plus, I had on my compression panty hose because I had had a vein treatment the day before. I was totally Bound Up and claustrophobic!!! Being serious, Steve is a gift from God, and I am so thankful that he is the man I married. He is funny, kind, has beautiful eyes, adventurous, helpful, "hands on", engaged and involved with the kids, a wonderful husband and "Daddy".....and he loves me. I'm blessed.

Here's a recipe we had last night.......for our traditional breakfast for supper. The kids all chowed on them. They were very good and Fallish! Enjoy!!! J

CINNAMON-APPLE PANCAKES

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 TBLS brown sugar, packed

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg, beaten

1 cup milk

2 TBLS oil

1/2 cup applesauce

Combine dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl; make a well in the center and set aside. In a small mixing bowl, blend vanilla, egg, milk and oil; mix into the dry ingredients until just moistened. Add applesauce; mix well. Pour a little less than a 1/4 cup onto a hot, greased griddle. Cook until bubbly on surface; flip and heat until golden on both sides. Makes 8 to 10.

FALL BREAK 2008

Wow.......I could pretty much sum up this trip by saying just that.....WOW! This picture is the view we had from the porch of our cabin in, can I say "Beautiful but BoonDocks", Piney Creek, North Carolina. The cabin itself, its views and the surrounding areas were just amazing. We all had a wonderful time. We arrived on Thursday night, and were pleasantly surprised when we walked in the cabin. Even the kids said, "The drive was soooo worth it!" It was. We settled in and got dinner ready, and sat outside on the porch for dinner. So pleasant. Alot of our time was spent hanging out, playing games, eating, watching movies, playing cards, roasting s'mores, and sleeping in! Just Great. Friday was a rainy day, a good thing, because James Avery got a 12 hour stomach bug, beginning at 2 a.m., so we stayed in all day, and played games and watched movies. We did go into town later that afternoon and played in a park. Saturday we discovered Grayson Highlands State Park, one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.....and there were wild ponies. Leave it to Wesley to hug one and get kicked. He's got a big bruise on his leg. Still, that is something those kids will never forget. Later that day we went into Boone, such a beautiful town, and then on Sunday we did the Virginia Creeper Trail. This is a must do for everyone's list......you have made a list, haven't you? Put this one on it. 4-5 hours of mostly downhill bike trails (converted from old railroads) that run past rivers, streams, farms and beautiful countryside. Such great together time, and so incredibly beautiful. After the 5 hour drive, we arrived home on Sunday at about 11:30, and yes, had to get up for school the next day. So, I truly am still recovering.........did want to share a dinner idea, though. Tonight I fed my family for about $8.00. I bought a packet of 4 leg quarters for a little over $2.00, got a head of broccoli for $2.00, a pan of Marshall's biscuits for about $2.00, and already had some potatoes. I rinsed the chicken, squeezed a lemon all over it, drizzled it with EVOO on both sides, and put salt, pepper, and fresh garlic on both sides. I then convect roasted it at 325 for 45 minutes, then flipped the chicken over (to sit in the drippings) and covered it with foil to rest. I then cut up the broccoli, tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper, and roasted it at 400 f0r about 15 minutes.......while the biscuits were in with it. I mashed the potatoes with butter, milk, salt and sour cream, then added a little flour and water to the chicken drippings for grazy, and WALA......dinner was done, delicious, very filling and no more than $8.00. For a family of 6, that's a bargain......I would love to hear any of your "bargain meals". More pics from the trip later..........I posted alot of them on Facebook. J

WHERE'S EMMA?

Can you see her? We love playing in the leaves!!! Tomorrow morning we leave for beautiful North Carolina.......today, I had to finish up a few errands. This is how it went. I walked with a friend early, early this morning, got the kids to school, well, actually James Avery stayed home with a stomach ache, so I cancelled a doctor's appointment.......took Emma to school, Steve called and said James Avery was feeling better, so he took him on to school! Thank goodness....I really needed to go into Cool Springs and finish off my list. I showered, and got all comfy in a black skirt and white tee. I couldn't wait to pull into Starbucks and get that Pumpkin Spice Latte. I did. Mmmmmmm. That first swallow is a true taste of Heaven. I ran into my first store, then came back and jumped in the car.......somehow I lost control of my coffee for a moment, it tipped over, and not all of it, but plenty spilled out straight onto the front of my, yes, white tee shirt. It was everywhere. I couldn't shop like this, what should I do? Hey, there's an old wadded up hoodie on the floor, along with stale pb&j's, old papers, spilled drinks, dirty socks. I'll just put that sucker on and zip it up.....oh, there's a TJ Maxx. So, I put on the wadded up wrinkled dirty hoodie, zipped it up over my coffee stained white tee, and headed in TJ's looking like "Country Come To Town". I grabbed the first tee I could find, and wore it out of the dressing room. Yes, I did pay for it. Finally, I'm ready to shop now. I had several more errands to do, and one was Costco. That was relatively painless, except when my very large container of grape tomatoes tipped over in my basket, and tomatoes were rolling around everywhere and all around me. It reminded me of the other day when I was in the grocery, and my eggs were on the bottom rack of the cart, and they fell out the front of the cart, then I ran over them. Busted egg yolks were all over the produce section, because of me. Then when we got to the check out, the other 18 carton of eggs was still on the bottom, and I looked over and Emma was standing on them to make herself taller to help get the stuff out of the cart. What a Helper......another pkg of eggs, busted. I just handed them to the bag boy, and said, please go get me 2 more 18-pk cartons of eggs......I've managed to bust 2 of them since I've been here. Ok, so, more today stuff. Oh yeah, I got in the car to take Emma to dance (which was cancelled and I didn't know it) and set my hot tea, not in the cup holder, I know, My fault, but in the middle, and when I took off, it fell forward smack dab into my open purse.....completely saturated the mail I had just put in there, and got on my camera that I just happened to have in there because I was taking the disk in to be developed. That's about how my day has gone. A comedy of errors, it seems. Now, however, I am packed, practically, and getting ready to load the food into the car. I can't wait to get to the the cabin, put on my pjs and relax. I won't be blogging for a few days, but will share stories upon our return. Here's you another recipe for you to enjoy! J

PERFECT ROAST CHICKEN

1 5-6 pound roasting chicken

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 large bunch fresh thyme, plus 20 sprigs

1 lemon, halved

1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise

2 TBLS butter (1/4 stick), melted

1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced

4 carrots cut into 2-inch chunks

1 bulb of fennel, tops removed, and cut into wedges

olive oil

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Remove the chicken giblets. Rinse the chicken inside and out. Remove any excess fat and pat the outside dry. Liverally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, both halves of lemon, and all the garlic. Brush the outside of the chicken with the butter and sprinkle again with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken. Place the onions, carrots, and fennel in a roasting pan. Toss with salt, pepper, 20 sprigs of thyme, and olive oil. Spread around the bottom of the roasting pan and place the chicken on top.

Roast the chicken for 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Remove the chicken and vegetables to a platter and cover with aluminum foil for about 20 minutes. Slice the chicken onto a platter and serve it with the vegetables.

Great over couscous, mashed potatoes, or rice.

Getting ready for the mountains!

Last year, on a recommendation from a friend (Thanks Melisa!) we biked the Virginia Creeper Trail. You can read all about it online, but I have to say that it is one of our favorite things we have done as a family. We rode the 4 hour trek, trailing through mountains, and by streams the whole way. It is beautiful.......especially this time of year. This year we're going back, staying with out dear friends the Babcocks in a what looks like very nice and large cabin (I'm probably not going to want to leave) in Jefferson, North Carolina. Today I've been cooking for that trip. Tomorrow I will pack.......I think it is going to be cold.......I love the mountains of North Carolina. I always seem to breath easier when I'm there. For your recipe...... I have finally found "that" blueberry muffin recipe. These are delicious, and I like to make them in those medium sized mini-muffin pans. Enjoy!!! J

SOUR CREAM BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

MUFFINS
1 cup flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup blueberries

GLAZE
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 TBLS fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest

For the muffins, preheat oven to 375. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add egg, butter, vanilla and sour cream. Stir until just combined. Fold in blueberries. Line muffin tins with paper liners and fill with batter. Bake until muffins spring back to the touch, 25-30 minutes. Let cool.

for glaze, in a small bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and zest. Spread 1 tsp over each muffin. Let stand until glaze hardens. 12 muffins

OUR PUNKINS!

And here are OUR PUNKINS.....plus a grandpunkin with Mamy.....as the kids lovingly refer to her. You're never to old to enjoy the pumpkin patch!!! Go out and visit your local one today. Wow, that sounded like an advertisement. This next "tradition" is just, well, ridiculous. Enjoy!!! J

PUMPKIN GOOEY BUTTER CAKES

CAKE:

1 18 1/4 oz pkg yellow cake mix

1 egg

8 TBLS butter, melted

FILLING:

1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened

1 15 oz can pumpkin

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

8 TBLS butter, melted

1 16 oz box powdered sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the cake mix, egg and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and beat together. Next, add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well. Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake for 40 - 50 minutes. Make sure not to overbake as the center should be a little gooey. Serve with fresh whipped cream.

GRANDPUNKINS!

We love the Pumpkin Patch!!! Going there just always marks Fall. This year we had an extra big group......our entire family, and it was very special. Today I'll feature the "Grandpunkins". They got a kick out of finding the "perfect one". Fall is mine and Steve's favorite season. We love everything about it. I have some foods that are a tradition around this time. Here's one of my favorites!


CARAMEL POPCORN

1 CUP FIRMLY PACKED LIGHT
BROWN SUGAR
1/2 CUP BUTTER
1/2 CUP LIGHT KARO
1/2 TSP SALT
1/2 TSP VANILLA
1/2 TSP BAKING SODA
4 QUARTS POPPED POPCORN (PUT IN A BIG BOWL)

COOK SUGAR, BUTTER, KARO AND SALT OVER MEDIUM HEAT, STIRRING CONSTANTLY UNTIL MIXTURE BOILS. CONTINUE TO COOK 5 MINUTES WITHOUT STIRRING. REMOVE FROM HEAT, ADD VANILLA AND SODA. STIR WELL. POUR MIXTURE OVER POPCORN, STIR TO COAT WELL. SPREAD ON COOKIE (UNGREASED) SHEET. BAKE AT 250 UNCOVERED FOR 1 HOUR, STIRRING OCCASIONALLY. REMOVE FROM OVEN AFTER 1 HOUR AND IMMEDIATELY START LIFTING FROM COOKIE SHEET WITH SPATULA UNTIL IT STOPS STICKING. LEAVE ON PAN UNTIL COOL. BREAK APART WHEN COOL. STORE IN AIRTIGHT CONTAINER. COOK ON MEDIUM HEIGHT IN OVEN. MAKES GREAT TEACHER HAPPIES!!!

What I've Learned......

What I've learned is that you Don't do blogging or Facebook when your 3 grandbabies are in town!!! Obviously!!! We were so blessed to have Amy, and her babies here for a whole week! It was a blast. We all had fun at James Avery's Football Party, went to the pumpkin patch, the park, the zoo, Pancake Pantry, played in the back yard, all over the house.....Fun, Fun, Fun!!

I loved cooking for them and having 10 people around the table. Of course, adding 3 little ones to our 4 and their already hectic schedules was a little wild, but I have to say that the house was more orderly having Amy here with her three, than when she isn't here. She's amazing! I learn a little something more from here each time I'm with her. What a treat to have inherited her as a daughter. One night she cooked this delicious Israeli recipe. She's been telling me about these for years, and they are wonderful. I'll definitely be making them often. Enjoy!! J....more pics from the week to come

SEAN'S FALAFEL AND CUCUMBER SAUCE

1 15-oz can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained

1 onion, chopped

1/2 cup fresh parsley

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 egg

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp salt

1 dash pepper

1 pinch cayenne pepper

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp baking powder

1 TBLS olive oil

1 cup dry Italian bread crumbs

oil for frying

1 (6-oz) container plain yogurt

1/2 cucumber-peeled, seeded, and finely chopped

1 tsp dried dill weed

salt and pepper to taste

1 TBLS mayonnaise

1. In a large bowl, mash chickpeas until thick and pasty; don't use a blender, as the consistency will be too thin. In a blender, process onion, parsley and garlic until smooth. Stir into mashed chickpeas. (Amy did this all in the food processer)

2. In a small bowl combine egg, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, cayenne, lemon juice and baking powder. Stir into chickpea mixture along with olive oil. Slowly add bread crumbs until mixture is not sticky but will hold together; add more or less bread crumbs, as needed. Form 8 balls and then flatten into patties.

3. Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry patties in hot oil until brown on both sides. (Amy baked hers at 400 for about 10 minutes per side)

4. In a small bowl, combine yogurt, cucumber, dill, salt, pepper and mayo. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

She put a flatbread on the plate, topped with lettuce, the falafels, red onion then covered with cucumber sauce! Sometimes she serves them in pitas with hummis, potatoes, etc. YUMMY!!!

BABIES COME TOMORROW!!!

We are anxiously awaiting Amy and her babies, Addison and Reilly, and baby Lennon's arrival tomorrow afternoon! She is driving all the way from St Pete, FL......what a woman!!! Andrew has to work, so it will be just her and the kids. We can't wait to see all of them, and I can't wait to post pictures!!! I just finished boiling 2 yard birds, pulling the meat off of the bone, straining that yummy broth, and have one of Nita's Chicken Pies made and in the refrigerator, and am also making a pot of Chicken Noodle Soup. The weather is cool here, so it's time for some hearty meals. Enjoy this Beautiful Weekend!!! J

A SEINFELD EPISODE!

Have you ever felt like you were a starring role in a Seinfeld episode? That was today for me. It was teeth cleaning day for me at the dentist......something that is never fun, but I guess necessary for dental health. Anyway, all was going well until it was time for her to brush my teeth at the end with that little spinny rubber thing. She gave me the suction stick to hold in my right hand, slathered my teeth with that very grainy and gritty toothpaste, and started spinning. I noticed that she pumped her foot on some pedal thing to get the spinny thing to spin. Well, about halfway through this procedure, the spinny thing malfunctioned. She couldn't get it to spin, and started pumping her foot faster, in different angles, getting very frustrated, remember I'm holding the suction stick, have the gritty toothpaste caked on my teeth, mouth wide open, Blinding light in my eyes (the big light said Belmont......I always notice the brand on that big light) and the Wonders of the World posters on the ceiling are staring back at me. By now, I started getting tickled. Now this is funny. She is very frustrated, still pumping away, it would come on, she would do a tooth or two, then it would stop. I think she was new or something......I can't imagine anyone else going at that foot pump the way she was trying to get it to work. By now, I am laughing out loud, trying not to choke on the now running down the back of my throat gritty toothpaste stuff. It was hilarious. She finally did go next door and another gal came over and fixed it for her. Still, it was one of those surreal moments that became comical.....Ever had one of those? I always love it when something funny happens early in the day, to get my smile really going. It was very easy to smile today, though, because it was gorgeous, and was the first day that it felt like Fall all day! Bring on those pumpkins!!! Speaking of pumpkins, here's a very festive, sweet fall appetizer, or dessert. Delicious! Enjoy!!! J

PUMPKIN DIP WITH GINGER SNAPS

2 8-oz pkgs cream cheese
4 cups (or less) confectioners sugar, sifted
1 can pumpkin or pumpkin pie filling mix
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger

In a large mixing bowl combine cream cheese and sugar, beating until well blended. Beat in remaining ingredients. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To serve, scoop out 1 or 2 miniature pumpkins and fill them up with the dip. Use ginger snaps for dipping.

THE BEST LITTLE APPETIZERS!!!

Probably my all time favorite appetizer, and truly one that is gone, gone, gone everytime, is one from my sweet friend, Lynda (Thanks Lynda!) All ages love them (the kids call them the little pizza things), and they can be served either warm or at room temperature. They can even be made ahead, and reheated. So next time you are in charge of the "appetizer", take along these little gems, and you and your friends won't be disappointed. Enjoy!!! J

BACON SWISS CUPS

1 (10 pk) Flaky Hungry Jack Bisquits
1 (5 or 6 pk) Flaky Hungry Jack Bisquits

Peel and place 3 layers in mini muffin pans. Press down and up sides. You can usually get 2-3 muffins from 1 bisquit. Then.....

Mix together:
1 cup Hellman's Mayo
1 cup grated Swiss cheese
10 pieces bacon cooked and crumbled
1 chopped tomato
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil

Fill muffin cups and bake for 12 minutes, or until set. Hope you love them!!!

MADDENING MONDAY!!

Mondays through Wednesdays we are burning the candle at both ends with school stuff, homework, projects, extracurricular......it's just never a break!!! Mondays are usually not too bad until they get off the bus, then, let the fun begin! Usually, Emma and I have a nice pajama Monday, but not today. Today was her 5 year well visit. It was gorgeous here again today, boy have we had amazing weather this past week, so we did work in a bike ride.....we're trying to get those training wheels off, and then she had to be at the doctor at 10:00. I got in the car at about 20 'til, which was plenty of time to get there. Crank......what is the brake lamp? That lit up on my mini-van. Something obviously in the back, oh well, couldn't be that much of a problem. I put the car in reverse.....it won't go.....at all! It actually felt like I was trying to go up a hill every time I put my foot on the gas. I went and looked behind the van to make sure my "brakes" weren't falling out or something, but it appeared normal. Let me try this again. Vrum....nope, still not moving, and still feeling like I'm rolling up a hill. I better call Steve, I am going to be late for that appointment. No answer. He was at the gym. Well, surely our friend David knows what the brake lamp is. I call David......he rides his bike right over to assess the situation. When he rode in our driveway, he rode to the right side of the car, and says, I think I've found your problem. Come look at this. You are not going to believe this. I was thinking flat tire or something. Oh, but no. A BASKETBALL was lodged beneath the rear of my right tire, and everytime I was trying to back up, I was rolling up on the basketball. Geez.....how embarrassing. That's just pretty much how my life is. I'm so glad that I can see the humor in all of these things. Life really is hilarious. Thanks again David. Anyway, we did make it to the appointment, Emma was as talkative and nice as she has ever been there, only went balistic after they gave her her MMR shot at the very end. Bless her little heart. She has the most dramatic and heartbreaking cry. She quickly recovered though. Ok, now for another recipe I got from a friend in Orlando. (Thanks Linda Sherrill) I'll never forget going into her lovely home and her offering me a dish of this. It was one of those things that every bite of it tasted soooo good. Enjoy!!! J

STUFFED BURGER BUNDLES

1 cup packaged herb-stuffing mix
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1 lb ground beef
1 10 1/2 oz can cream of mushroom soup
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 TBLS ketchup

Prepare stuffing according to package directions. Combine evaporated milk and meat. Divide into 5 patties. On waxed paper, pat each to a 6-inch circle. Put 1/4 cup of stuffing in center of each; draw meat over the stuffing; seal. Place in a 1 1/2 quart casserole. Combine remaining ingredients. Pour over meat. Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes. Serve over extra wide egg noodles and with salad, bread, and of course, a dessert! I usually double the sauce.

THE WEEKEND ENDS

This was a great day to end the weekend. Church was wonderful, the youth choir are singing their hearts out......I'm so proud of them, it was gorgeous today, still a tad hot, but Fall is Here! The leaves are showing hints of color, which means that soon the hills will resemble bouquets of Fall flowers. It is truly my absolute favorite season. We did a family trip to Costco for lunch and a few things, then hit a couple of pet stores. Wesley is now obsessing about getting a gecko. That's what is on his mind now, so I'm sure in a few weeks, we'll have one. I told him, you buy it, you take care of it, you can have it. Looks like I'm in for having a reptile in this house soon........ One of my reasons for doing this blog, is to have in one place my very favorite recipes. I cook alot differently than I did as a beginner, so some of the recipes will be more "Food TV" type ingredients, but I will never forget my roots, and the precious people in my life that inspired me to cook, and their recipes. Many of which I still crave and cook today. I would like to share with you, Aunt Chellie's Pasta. Thanks Aunt Chellie! I believe that this is one of Mell's family's favorites as well. I'm sure that you could use fresh garlic/thyme/Parmesan cheese, and it would be even better! Enjoy!!! J

AUNT CHELLIE'S PASTA

4 boneless chicken treasts
1 pkg sliced mushrooms
1 bell pepper chopped
3/4 cups Parmesan Cheese
8 oz spaghetti
8 oz whipping cream
6 strips bacon cooked crisp
3 TBS olive oil

Saute mushrooms, chicken, and bell pepper in oil. Add 8 oz of whipping cream, 4 strips of bacon crumbled, salt and pepper to taste, 1/2 tsp thyme and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Cook over low heat until it bubbles then pour over cooked spaghetti and add 2 strips bacon crumbled.

A VERY LONG DAY!!!

I'm right there with ya little Emma.

6:00 a.m., after hitting snooze for 15 minutes, I'M UP!!! Shower........I have to have water on my face to fully awaken. Oh my, I've surely been hit by a freight train during the night. Ok, one of my eyes is now open just enough to at least see what I'm doing to pour my coffee. Caffeine....AHHH! Love that drug. Kids are up, dressed, fed, watered, teeth brushed, out the door and into the van by 7:15.......off for pictures. 7:40, Andrew's picture, 7:50, Wesley's picture, 8:00, James Avery's picture, 8:10, Emma's picture, Andrew and Wesley ride over with their coaches to their games, James Avery and Emma walk with their teams to theirs. I go to the car and transfer car seats, then back into the arena to retrieve my now cold coffee that I left there. Ok, I can do this, 15 minutes per game.......that's fair and balanced. I go to James Avery's first. Ok, so 20 minutes for James, now off to Emma's. Where are my keys? Susan, do you see my keys. This is not happening. I can't not have my keys, not today........I go to Emma's field and search her bag, no keys, I go back to the car and peek inside, no keys.......I head to the arena, when I passed the concession stand I asked where lost and found is. What did you lose? My Keys. Do they have a J on them.....YES! YES! YES! They do have a J on them!!!! Praise the Lord. Now, back to Emma's game, ok, so she got about 3 minutes with a few Go Emma's. Into the car now, across the road to the other fields where Andrew and Wesley were playing side by side. I literally stand on the sidewalk in between both fields, and make regular rotations toward each field shouting, Go Wesley, Yeah Andrew. This morning has quickly become a blur. Finally, the games are over. I think I forgot to eat breakfast, I'm starving, but now I have to drop off the boys, and get to Emma's birthday party. Can I just say that it was a day? Home from the party at 12:30, taught a lesson at 2:00, Steve got home mid afternoon, I caught power naps as I could on top, yes on top of the pile of clean laundry waiting to be folded on my couch. Publix run for dinner and groceries, party invitations filled out......I loved how Michele put it on her facebook......the Saturday Scramble, that it was, now I'm very happily going to bed!!! Enjoy the roasted asparagus. Very quick and delicious side. J

PARMESAN ROASTED ASPARAGUS

2 1/2 pounds fresh asparagus, about 30 large
2 Tbs olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 lemons cut in wedges for serving

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Break off hard ends of asparagus. Lay them in a single layer on a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and return to the oven for another minute. Serve with lemon wedges. Thick asparagus work better, and have more flavor.

The Picture Says All!!

Take a look at this photo, now, just let me tell you about my "in the morning". First of all, I've laid out every piece of every child's soccer uniform so I don't hear "Where are my shin guards", "Have you seen my socks", "Now what color uniform am I this year, Mom", " My shoe is falling apart", "These socks are different lengths" "My socks stink, are they washed?"........get the picture, and yes they are all washed and clean. Here's the deal, Steve is still in Canada, all four kids have a 9:00 game on different fields, and it is picture day, (all at different times as well, but before the games, so I have to have them all dressed in their uniforms and to the soccer fields by 7:30, have I mentioned that Steve is out of town? I have a feeling it is going to be a Pop-Tarts in the car morning. On a positive note, all games will be done by 10, and we'll have our day!!! Also, sweet Susan and Charlie are helping me out. Thanks y'all. I have such great friends.
So, here's your recipe. It was introduced to us by our neighbor Ashley (thanks Ashley) and the kids chowed on it. So deliciously sweet and makes either a great dessert or breakfast/brunch coffee cake. Ashley used about 1/2 cup applesauce to replace the oil, and it was still sooooo yummy! Enjoy, and enjoy your weekend. It is beautiful here. J

HONEY BUN CAKE

1 box yellow cake mix
3/4 cup oil
4 eggs
8 oz sour cream
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 Tablespoon cinnamon
2 cups powdered sugar
4 Tablespoon milk
1 Tablespoon vanilla

Mix cake mix, oil, eggs, and sour cream and stir by hand. Pour half of batter into 9x13-inch pan, I grease and flour mine. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Pour rest of batter on top and swirl batter. Bake at 325 for 40 minutes. After cake is done, poke holes in cake with fork. Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla; pour over cake while hot. Ridiculous I tell ya!!