Life Lesson

Yesterday I flushed my only set of car keys down the toilet at the office.  No, I did not do this on purpose.  No, I was not drunk.  No, I don't have an extra set of keys to my car *(I lost them over a year ago).  But today I learned an important lesson from my sweet husband.  You can't fret about this kind of stuff.  Life goes on.  Someone will come and make you a new set for about $200.  You can survive overnight without your keys.  Life just goes on.  People laugh at you and with you.  But in the long run, you learn that when you are most stressed about work, Christmas, etc, a little flush can change your whole perspective on life!

So, I say to you............relax.  Breathe.  Enjoy the holiday season!

Sunday Lunch

Today my husband and I had Christmas Brunch with two of our grandchildren. We dined at The Club on a delicious menu by award winning Chef Prefontaine! I love that my stepdaughter and son-in-law are raising my grandchildren to behave and use manners in a lovely dining environment. They use their napkins, respond kindly to the waitstaff and remain in their seats throughout the meal. What a treat to see children growing up and being trained with social graces! I am truly blessed!!!!!!


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Location:Fort Worth Club

A Great Winter Dish

When the weather turns cold outside, we often tend to think about cooking soups and stews.  However, when the weather turns cold outside, I tend think of Cajun Etouffee'.  One of my favorite and easy recipes is Crawfish or Shrimp Etouffee'.  I've included the recipe below: 


'


3 lbs of shrimp or crawfish
1 large chopped onion
1 medium chopped bell pepper
2 stalks of celery chopped
1 can of condensed tomato soup
1stick of butter
Louisiana red pepper sauce to taste
Cooked rice






Saute shrimp or crawfish, onions, bell pepper and celery in butter. Add tomato soup and simper about 30 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and pepper sauce. Serve over cooked rice.


Let me know if you enjoy the recipe!

Pork/Chicken Dressing

One of my favorite dishes is my grandmother's chicken & dressing recipe.  She actually boiled and put three full hens in her dressing.  I have also substituted pork as well.  I have tried on so many occasions but have never been able to recreate her exact recipe.  Granny Lester used to just dump stuff in and stir it up and it was excellent.

Recently I found a "shortcut" version of dressing to make that tastes almost identical to my Granny's.  Surprisingly, it is really delicious and makes a nice 9x13 baker of dressing.  It is so easy to make that you can fix for a Sunday lunch whether it is the holiday's or not!  Here's the recipe:

2 pkg Cornbread mix – prepare & crumble

2 Celery stalks chopped fine
1 Onion – chopped fine
2 Tsp oil
1 Can cream of chicken soup
1 Large can of chicken broth *(add more if necessary)
3 TBSP Sage
1 TBSP Celery salt
4 Hard boiled eggs - diced
2 Large cans cooked chicken (mixed meat) *do not drain
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Saute celery and onion in oil. Add in chicken soup and broth, sage, celery salt, eggs to cornbread mixture. Add more broth as needed to avoid dryness. Should be fairly moist when you start baking. Cook in a 9 x 13 baker for 40-45 minutes at 350°.

Fall Wine and Cheese

Every year I host a wine and cheese party for friends.  It is one of the most fun events I enjoy hosting.  I literally lay out blocks of great cheese on some of my platters, open some great crackers, and numerous bottles of wine.  Girlfriends from all over come to enjoy wine and fellowship.  I love to celebrate fall and friendship.  It is just too easy to put together a wine and cheese party.  You don't have to serve expensive wine, and cheese is always a hit at every party.   Open up a bottle and enjoy some friends this fall.

Laundry

Today has been a red letter day!  I have actually caught up on all my laundry.  This is the first time in two years that I have washed, folded, AND put it all away all caught up!  I really don't like doing laundry but this has almost become a mission for me.  I just have had to push myself to do it all weekend long.  Why do two people have so much laundry?  I think it is because we put it off so long.  However, I am committed to keeping up and not ever getting this behind on laundry again. 

Stay tuned.............I'll keep you posted!

Grilling

I came home Thursday evening to discover that one of my freezers went out that day.  In the freezer was a brisket, huge pork tenderloin, 12 racks of ribs, 2 chickens and some quail.  So.........today we are smoking meat.  I can't stand the thought of all this meat going to waste so we are cooking it up.  If you are not doing anything, come on by around 6:30 and eat some meat.  What is left goes to neighbors to enjoy on Sunday!

Great Recipe for Football

Saturday will be a great day.  I have scheduled my day around all the football games.  But you always need a great snack food for game day.  Here is a recipe I wanted to share.  It's easy and tastes great!  Enjoy while you cheer on your favorite college team!

Pecan Bacon Cheese Wafers


1 ½ c. of butter softened 1 lb bacon (cooked and crumbled

16 oz grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 c finely chopped tasted pecans ½ tsp ground red pepper

½ c finely chopped green onions 4 ½ c all purpose flour



In a large bowl, combine butter, cheese, bacon, pecans, green onions and red pepper. Beat with a mixer until combined . Gradually add flour, beating until just combined. Wrap dough in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place dough 3 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Lightly spray baking sheet with Pam and flour pan. Flatten each dough into ¼-inch thickness. Bake at 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let cool on pan for 5 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on wire racks.

Fireplace

Today was an exciting day for us.  We put in a wood burning stove in our den that has glass doors and can be opened for a mini fireplace.  Many people have said - wow, why not pellets or gas logs.  Why would you want a real wood burning stove? 

The answer is it makes for a cozy den with a warm and inviting atmostphere.  The winter months are dark and lonely.  They are cold and damp.  A warm cozy fire makes the room inviting.  It makes it feel like home.

I can hardly wait for a day where the temp never gets above sixty so I can build a tiny fire in my newly installed wood burning stove.  Ya'll come on over.  I'll have a hot toddy for you to sip while you watch the flames dance!

Dinner on Sunday

On the way home from New Orleans, our plane was delayed, there was traffic on the freeway and I was pretty tired.  It was so nice to be able to pull something from the freezer, heat it up and have a great home cooked meal.  I love to vacuum seal left overs.  If you use good seal bags, food tastes just like it is freshly prepared.  Two great tricks for recycling leftovers are great precut bags from the The Vak Shack and Pampered Chef stoneware.  You can take just about any kind of meat (roast, burgers, meatloaf, brisket, ribs, sausage) and after storing it in Vak Shack Bags put it in a Pampered Chef stoneware bowl and lid with about 1/2 inch of water in the base to reheat, and make it taste just like it was freshly prepared. 

As a busy working lawyer, I have found that when I cook, it is just as easy to cook a commercial can of beans, peas or whatever vegetable and freeze it in portions for two rather than just try to cook for two.  It makes for cooking during the week easier and beats going to a fast food joint when pressed for time.  Entertaining and managing a household is pretty easy when you have the right equipment.  A vacuum sealer and good bake ware are essentials in the equipment division.

The South

You just have to love the South.  They say "please", "thank you", and "Yes Mam and No Sir".  They know how to host a party and how to make you feel right at home.  Complete strangers speak to you like you are long lost kin.  I love how much fun it is to travel in the south.  My good friends, The Hortons, invited us to go to the LSU game with them.   What a treat.  No where else in the south do they know how to party with such hospitality.  I love living in the South and SEC games on Saturdays!

Real Mail

I love to get REAL mail.  Not bills.  Not circulars.  Not credit card offers.  Not politician ads.  I love to get handwritten notes.  I love to get cards.  I love to gifts.   Society is so electronically connected that we forget that the United States Postal Service actually delivers mail to us curbside on a daily basis.   So I recommend that you take the time each day to write at least one handwritten note to someone.  You can brighten their day and remind yourself how much fun it is to reconnect with someone in a way other day email, text, facebook, my space or twitter.  Give it a try - you have no idea how much fun it is to hand write personal notes!

Weddings

Watching Kim and Zachary exchange wedding vows last night was so sweet. It is a reminder of how wonderful it is to be married to such a great guy!


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My Birthday

This photo was taken in 1983.  My Daddy looks so you.  It was only 17 years ago.  This past Saturday I turned 48.  I am fortunate that my Daddy was there to celebrate with me.  Many changes have taken place in my life over the last 17 years.  I've had different jobs and am now an owner in a statewide law practice.  I moved 200 miles from the only hometown I ever knew (and it was scary).  I divorced the father of my child, fell in love, had my heart broken, realized I could survive as a single mother and then wound up marrying my best friend and the greatest man on earth.  I have watched my son grow into an amazing young man whose talents never cease to amaze me.   I realized that God really is in control and i don't have to help HIM (although I struggle and still try usually on a daily basis).  Finally, I have learned that getting older means life just gets sweeter. 

I think birthdays are meant to be celebrated and done so with gusto.  Birthdays are a celebration of life - not a day that marks getting closer to the end of your time on earth.  This year I was so blessed to celebrate my birthday with family and friends in a beautiful country setting with great food and perfect weather.  As I reflect on the past birthdays I have celebrated - I am truly blessed each year and especially so on this year.



Good friends

Enjoying a night with good friends is the best medicine in the world.



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New Mexico

Each year after the annual school board convention, Ray and I make this wonderful two day pilgrimage to Red River New Mexico.  We always get to see our good friends the Wiggins and usually friends we have made over the years during our travels in this lovely little town.  It is our way of ushering in Fall, My Birthday Season, and generally a relaxing two days.  Tomorrow we travel up to Goose Lake in ATV's to fish and relax and enjoy the day.  We have planned a wonderful picnic and so look forward to relaxing at the top of the mountain in the clear cool air.   This is truly the vacation place of a lifetime!

Family Time in Arkansas

Well its time for another pilgrimage.......our family's annual visit to Lake Greeson in Arkansas to the family compound to celebrate the birthday's of Rhett and Papa.  Papa turns 87 on Saturday and Rhett turned 18 on Thursday.  There will cake and you can count on some fish.  Lake time on the pontoon and floating around in some cove enjoying the last weekend of summer.  The nights will be cool in the 60's - just enough to wear a long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt.  No makeup or hair accessories are required.   Flip flops are the shoes of choice.  What wonderful memories of our family in this beautiful and undeveloped country!

Meatloaf

Today was the first day of school for most of the kiddo's in the area to return to school.  Such was the case at Ray's school as well.  So, in honor of the first day of school, I decided last night to cook him a fabulous dinner.  I cooked some fresh purple hull peas and cornbread, mac & cheese (with homemade sauce - not the box kind) and meatloaf.  This was my first attempt at meatloaf.  It was delicious.  I have determined after searching no less than 300 recipes and talking to some of my great cook friends that meatloaf is somewhat of a moving target.  The basics are some ground beef, egg, onion and and breadcrumbs.  You can use tomato paste, ketchup or blended tomatoes for the tomato flavor and just about any kind of spice in your cabinet will work.  I am excited about my next meatloaf attempt.  I think it be great depending on what you are in the mood to taste!

Some of the best ingriedients that I want to try are some chili powder, red pepper, bell peppers, fajita seasoning and dry ranch seasoning.  So for now.....I'm off to clean the kitchen and hit the hay!

The Weekend

Nothing seems more relaxing after a hard week's work than sitting in your recliner and napping on a Saturday afternoon.  There is something comforting about lying in the air conditioning, with a glass of tea and your feet propped up.  What a wonderful way to relax!

Salmon

Last week I was blessed to spend time with my son aboard the Tamarik in beautiful Sitka, Alaska where we circumnavigated Baranof Island.  We had exceptional weather and caught large king salmon, coho salmon, and halibut.  We brought back 600 pounds of fresh fish.  I decided to try my hand at making old fashioned salmon croquettes' this week.  They were delicious.  I really didn't have a recipe other than I flaked the baked salmon and added crackers, onions, bell pepper, eggs and some seasoning the mixture.  I coated it in seasoned bread crumbs and fried in a skillet with olive oil.  They were mighty delicious.  I think I will try that recipe again in the future!

Hot dogs

Saturday is my favorite day of the week. I usually get to sleep late, cook some great meals and enjoy some time in my home. Tomorrow is no exception. I will fix a lovely breakfast and later tomorrow evening have friends over to enjoy hot dogs. Hot dogs are a summer staple by the pool. There are so many wonderful things you can add to hot dogs. One of my favorite things in the summer is to add bread and butter pickles on the side. I just love the crunch of homemade pickles. My favorite kind of pickles to make is the sweet/hot/sour ones. They take about 7 days to make but they are well worth it. My dear friend, Gail, taught me how to make them. You buy a gallon jar of sour pickles. Dill pickles will work but they are not the same as sour pickles. You pour out the juice in a pitcher. Cut the pickles in ¾ inch slices. Add the pickles back to the jar. Add a 4 lb bag of sugar to the pickle jar over the pickle slices. Then you take a small jar of Tabasco and add it to the top of the mixture. Pour as much of the juice as you can back over the pickles. Put the lid tightly back on and turn the jar twice a day. In seven days you will have the best pickles ever. They are just delicious when you eat them with hot dogs. Try them and let me know how they turn out.

Weddings

I remember this day a little over two years ago when my dear friend, Larry, proposed to the love of his life - Elizabeth!  What an awesome experience to watch two people fall in love, share a life, and now expect a child!  Weddings remind us that we are destined to find someone to share our life with as we experience this time on earth.  Last night I hosted a party for two good friends who are about to marry. As I looked around the room at the couples there, I was reminded how blessed I am to have such a great husband who loves me in spite of myself.  I am also reminded how fragile love is and that we should honor and protect the hearts of those we love so dearly!  So for today, take time to remind your spouse that they really are the love of your life and show them how much you appreciate them for all the wonderful little day to day things they do for you.  Don't wait until it is your anniversary or until they do something special - love them today for being the love of your life!

Dinner Party

One of my favorite things to do is to host a dinner party.  Last night I hosted one in honor of my parents and good friends, Hamp and Sue, who were in town visiting.  I always like to try a new recipe out on company, and last night was no exception.  I prepared Fried Olives!  They were delicious.  You take Olives (make sure you get those without pits), and it is better if you use stuffed (garlic, anchovy, pimento, etc) olives.  Get the Fry Daddy hot and roll the olives in flour.  Then roll them in egg whites and lastly in seasoned breadcrumbs.  Fry them up until they are crisp.  You don't even need Ranch Dressing to dip them in they are so good.  Try it out at your next party!

Friendship

We take for granted so many things in life.  One that I most like to celebrate is the value of great friends.  Friends are the people we choose as family.  We can't pick our family.  We should carefully select our friends.  Those are the people whose shoulders we cry on when we are sad, they are the shoulders we pat on when we celebrate and the shoulders we lean on when tragedy falls upon us.  These are the people who love us in spiteof ourselves.  Today, I want my good friends to know how much they mean to me!

The Dinner Hour

Last night my step daughter cooked dinner for us.  It was such a treat for me.  I love to cook and do so daily but I really enjoyed being treated to dinner.  It was delicious, healthy, served on real plates in the dining room and eaten with wonderful conversation.  I think families should gather more often for dinner and conversation.

Eating Healthy

From time to time, I try to go through phases where I want to eat healthier.  So here is my newest attempt.  I am going to start stocking up on my new "Homemade Granola".  I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Here is the recipe.  Try it and tell me what you think!

Easy Granola

4 cups of old fashioned rolled oats – Not quick cooking
1 cup of sliced almonds
½ c shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1/3 c unsalted hulled sunflower or pumpkin seeds
½ c pure maple syrup
2 tbsp canola oil
½ tsp sea salt
1 c dried fruit


Heat oven to 350°. On a rimmed baking sheet all but fruit. Bake, tossing once until golden and crisp, for 25-30 min. Add the dried fruit. Let cool. Will store for up to 3 weeks.

Lobster Bisque

I am about to learn what to do with fish stock!  My dear friend, Teri, is going to teach me to make lobster bisque with fish stock.  I love to eat it, can discern when it is "fake" bisque and am looking forward to learning a new trick in cooking!  Stay tuned and I'll keep you posted on this adventure.

Handwritten Notes

I love to send and recieve handwritten notes.  It is so special when someone takes the time to sit, compose a note, address it and place a stamp on it.  How delightful to recieve such a gracious thought from a friend.  Click on the Handwritten Notes in the title to this blog to take you to a wonderful site where you can order personalized note cards.  So head to the post office and buy some stamps and brighten a friend's day!

Fresh Flowers

Yesterday I splurged.  I bought a dozen roses at Kroger for $6.99 and put them in a beautiful rose bowl on my entry way.  There is just something about fresh flowers that make you smile.  Take a moment  - grab some flowers and stick them in a vase in your home.  You will be surpised at how that small little purchase can brighten your day!

Iced Tea

Because I am from the South, I learned to love iced tea!  I dont' particularly like it sweet but there is nothing more refreshing than an ice cold glass of tea with a slice of lemon or lime in it.  I recently purchased one of those big glass decanters with a spigot.  Lately, I have started filling it with tea and floating some orange, lemon or lime slices in it on the weekend. It is really a delightful piece in the kitchen and is always ready when company arrives. 

I suggest you try it!!!!!!

Sunday's Dessert

Yesterday I made an old fashioned chocolate pie.  My meringue actually stood up tall and browned up just right.  The problem is that I don't actually know what I did to make it better this time.  I did make sure my egg whites were at room temperature but they were last time too. I beat the whites a long time - maybe that made the difference.

Doesn't chocolate pie on a Sunday afternoon sound like a great old fashioned treat?

Another Great Meal

I have been so impressed with Stouffer's new campaign that the family that eats together has less problems with their children.  I really do believe that is so true.  My family always ate together every night at 6:15 immediately following the weather.  As soon as Vern Sterman went off the air - it was time for dinner.  I guess that is why I never watch the sports on TV.  Back to my original train of thought - we need to eat together at the table as a family without the phone, TV, internet or headphones.  We need to get back to sitting down at the table and conversing again.  I think the family meal is a lost art. 

Here is a great and easy recipe that you can use as the main dish for the meal.  Add a garden salad, some ice cold tea and you are good to go! 

Prawns in Pasta


2 lbs medium prawns

½ stick butter

2 c. fresh sliced mushrooms

bunch of green onions

1 pint of heavy whipping cream

1 c shredded cheese.

Cooked angel hair pasta



Sauté prawns in butter or olive oil. Add mushrooms and green onions and sauté slightly. Add cream and cheese. Heat over low heat until cheese melts. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over cooked angel hair pasta.

Cajun Dinner

I tried my hand at Crawfish Etoufee' this weekend.  It was delicious and so easy to cook.  Here's the recipe.  Takes about 45 minutes cook and prep time - very easy.

3 lbs crawfish
1 onion (chopped)
1 bell pepper (chopped)
2 stalks of celery (chopped)
1 stick of butter

Saute' these together.  Add 1 can condensed tomato soup and simmer for 30 minutes.  Salt, Pepper, and Hot sauce to taste.  Serve over hot rice.

Delicious!

Family Vacation

Join me over the next few days as our family embarks on a new adventure.  We leave in the bus in a few hours and travel as a family to the ski slopes in Red River.  By Tueseday, we shall be ready to kill each other.  Will keep you posted.

The Ultimate Party

I am going to get to plan the ultimate party at my home - another wedding.  I am so looking forward to watching true love bloom in my garden as my oldest and dearest friend/adopted sister marries her soulmate.  What an exciting day it will be.  Follow the blog as we transform the park and and the garden into a magical moment where two souls who have been alone come together as one!

Dreary Sunday

I had so many plans for today!  But I slept late - till nearly noon.  We met some friends for a late lunch - and it was great.  I sat by the fire with a new friend and enjoyed getting to know her better.  I helped a young man write a paper - and it was worth it.  I cooked dinner for my husband - and he enjoyed it.  I relaxed in front of the television with my hubby - and cleared my head.  I suppose it is true that the best laid plans.......however, I was busy today and I really enjoyed being in my home with my friends and family.

I would encourage you to enjoy whatever life throws your way!

The Patio

As we roll into spring, we begin to think of sunny days and flowers.  I always think of Garden parties when spring arrives.  I love to host little outdoor patio parties as the afternoons heat up.  As night falls, there is nothing better than sitting by a fire pit and watching the stars.  Although we probably will have a few more days of bad winter weather, I am so looking forward to spring, the flowers, the sunshine and wonderful afternoons on the patio!

The New Year

As January draws to a close, it reminds me that I have 11 months left to exercise, eat right, spend more time with family and all the other resolutions I try to faithfully follow each January.  My favorite resolution is to eat healthier.  I think to do so, I must not eat out as much at night.  I really would like to have to some more good and simple recipes.  If you are following the blog, post one on here for me!

Weekends

This weekend I'll be traveling to Midwinter Conference in Austin.  As a rule, I really enjoy staying home and cooking in my kitchen.  However, I so enjoy seeing so many of my clients and friends at this annual conference each January.  It is three days filled with training sessions, meetings, and receptions.  It is tiring, long  and provide little opportunity for sleep.  However, the opportunities to renew old friendships, make new ones and mingle with clients in a beautiful city make it all worthwhile.  We are blessed that we have good clients, and wonderful employees.  Looking at the glass half full always makes me smile.