IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

I'm sorry that I haven't posted very much lately.  My first born son is now gone back to CA.  He and his sweet little family (my beautiful little Gracie) will be leaving soon for their time in Japan.  Gracie is growing so much and changing every day.  It makes me sad that I won't get to physically see them, but we are HUGE fans of Skype so it will makes their leaving a little easier knowing that I will "see" them again soon.  

As you can tell, I'm working on my blog for Christmas!  I am such a NOVICE when it comes to all this blogging, but I'm having a great time trying to teach myself how to make backgrounds and headers.  I found a great ebook that has really helped me when working with all of this code.  Go HERE to read all about it.  I am still working on the blog design for Christmas so don't be surprised if you come back for a visit and it has changed some.  I expect to have it the way I want within a day or so.  

We had our family Thanksgiving last Sunday.  It was a wonderful time with all my boys, their sweet families, my mother, mother-in-law, and very dear friends.  We will be going to my husband's sister's house on Thursday for their Thanksgiving.  I'm sure that it will be fun, but I can't help but feel like Thanksgiving is over.  Now all I want to do is think about CHRISTMAS.  I have so much to do.........I'm really excited to get the tree and decorations up, shop, wrap gifts, go to all the parties and BAKE!  Be checking back for some really great family recipes that I KNOW you will love.

Why I’ve Been MIA

I am so sorry that I haven’t posted lately.  But I have a very good reason!

MY FIRST BORN SON just came back to the US from his Navy tour (he is a pilot) to the Afghanistan region. 

We’ve had a really wonderful time catching up and had a HUGE Thanksgiving dinner last Sunday.  He and his family leave on Saturday to go back to CA until early December, then they are off to Japan for 2.5 years. 

See you sometime next week!

Be Blessed……Mimi

AIN'T SHE PURTY!

My birthday is in a couple of days and my dear sweet husband got this for me early.  Sorry for the blurry picture quality.  I'm so excited that I was shaking when I tried to take pictures.  She's my new best friend.  I think I will name her Lola..........I'm off to make bread, cookies, cakes and whatever else I can find to make with her.  Oh, well after all it is the holidays, right?

Trash to Treasure Tuesday

I've been wanting to participate in Trash To Treasure Tuesday over at Reinvented for quite some time now.  I did this little transformation a little while back when I went hog wild with the Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint.  I've had this brass candle holder for at least 30 years and loved it.  I actually found it stuck in the very back of my junk closet, hiding, and thought it would be great transformed to the more updated colors that I have in my house. Brass had it's place here at one time, but no more.......I'd love to know what you think!


Before

After

I love it!  Now I am on the hunt for accessories to go with it and a pretty new home for it somewhere in my house.  Don't forget to stop by Reinvented and see all the great posts there, they are so fun to see.....

Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler

Today I want to share with you another recipe that has been in my family for many, many years.  I've been making this peach cobbler all of my married life.  I honestly don't know where I got the recipe all those years ago but it has always been a huge hit with my boys and husband.


So here are the ingredients:


4 cups of sliced fresh peaches (you can use canned, but fresh is better)
1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of shortening
1/4 cup plus 1 tblsp. cold water

Okay, so I forgot to take pictures until after I had already put the peaches, sugar and butter in a medium saucepan.  You will bring that to a boil over low heat until the peaches are tender and the mixture thickens. This takes a little while.  Pour the peach mixture in a lightly buttered 10X6X2 inch baking pan and set aside.


Combine the flour and salt together and cut in the shortening until it resembles coarse meal.  Sprinkle the water evenly over the flour mixture and stir it with a fork until all the ingredients are moistened.  Shape pastry into a ball.  Roll out the pastry to 1/8 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface and cut into 1 inch strips.

Arrange 1/2 of the strips in a lattice design over the top of the peach mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.  Remove from the oven and gently press the baked pastry into the peach mixture.  Repeat the lattice design again over the peaches with the remaining pastry strips.  Return to the oven and bake for an additional 40 minutes. Yields 6 servings.

If you haven't already guessed, I love me some carbs!!!!  This cobbler is so yummy for your tummy!


I'm linking this post to two of my favorite blogs this week.  Check them both out for more great recipes to add to your current collection. 

Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays at Blessed with Grace

Menu Plan Monday

Wow, I can't believe that I wasn't able to post any more last week after Monday.  Hopefully this week will be a bit easier for me at work and I can participate in the blogging world more.  Okay enough of that......

It's time again for Menu Plan Monday at I'm An Organizing Junkie.  I am so inspired every week when I read through all of the wonderful meal plans posted there.  If you've never been or don't go there on a regular basis; I really want to encourage you to check it out!

Here's what is on my menu for this week:


Monday - Oven Roasted Chicken, Steamed Veggies, Bread (Bread Machine), Death By Chocolate Cake
Tuesday - Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, Tossed Salad, Homemade Bread Sticks, Left Over Cake
Wednesday - Pork Tenderloin, Glazed Carrots, Green Beans, Left Over Bread, Banana Pudding
Thursday - FFY or Left Overs
Friday - Beef Enchilada Casserole, Salad, Cornbread, Fresh Fruit and Ice Cream
Saturday - Baked Potato Soup, Sandwiches, Apple Slices
Sunday - Homemade Pizza, Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars


What's on your plate for the coming week?  Leave me a comment!

Menu Plan Monday

I've got to confess this past week was a rough week for me.  I've been really, really busy with work.  The deadline for the federal tax rebate for home purchase is quickly approaching and I've had folks coming from every direction hoping to find a house before it's too late.  I'm not complaining, just tired.  Frankly the idea of doing just about anything right now seems daunting, even planning my menu for the coming week.  

I did manage to work it out though and here's what's cooking for me and mine this next week.

Monday:  Buttermilk Oven-Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, black-eyed peas, cornbread, brownies

Tuesday:  Tacos, rice, black beans, leftover brownies

Wednesday:  Pork Tenderloin, roasted sweet potatoes, sugar snap peas, homemade bread from bread machine, peach cobbler (old family recipe posted on Tuesday)

Thursday:  Chicken Spaghetti, salad, leftover bread, leftover peach cobbler

Friday:  Sirloin Steak, baked potatoes, green beans, Texas toast, oversize chocolate chip cookies

Saturday:  FFY or out to eat

Sunday:  Slow Cooker Roast with Veggies, seasonal fruit with vanilla ice cream

Don't forget to check out all the great meal plans and recipe links on Menu Plan Monday at I'm An Organizing Junkie.  

The Best Chocolate Pie EVER!

UPDATE:  I edited this post to participate in Foodie Friday over at Designs by Gollum.  There are some really great recipes and ideas over there, check it out! 

I'm excited to share with you another very special recipe that I have had for many years.  This is wonderful dessert that my husband's grandmother J made for years.  It is hands down his favorite dessert.  Not just any chocolate pie, but grandmother's pie.  I've been trying for years to make it just like grandmother and think I'm pretty close to perfection.  I do hope you will take the time to jot down the recipe.  It's been a family favorite for more than 50 years and still going strong.

I really wanted to get a picture of a slice of this pie, but I cut it too soon and it wasn't pretty!

The Best Chocolate Pie EVER!


Ingredients


1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. milk (I used 2%)
3 Tbsp. cocoa
3 Tbsp. flour
3 eggs, separated
1 tsp. vanilla


Instructions


Mix sugar, flour and cocoa together, slowly add milk.  Beat egg yolks and add to mixture.  Cook in double boiler until thick, add vanilla.  Pour in a 9 inch baked pie shell.  Cool and add meringue and lightly brown in oven.  Chill before serving.

Enjoy!!


Always Count Your Blessings,

Menu Plan Monday

It's time again for Menu Plan Monday over with Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie.  I really appreciate having a place to share my menu plans and see the hundreds of others posted each week there.  Let's face it, sometimes we just get tired of making the same thing and need new inspiration.  WELL, you can certainly get it there, go check it out! 


I've started a new weekly addition to my menu plan as of last week.  My husband and I try weekly to have a date night.  With the crazy schedules that we both have with work making sure that there is couple time is very important to us, even after ALL these years.  Anyway. we always have date night but usually that meant GOING to dinner.  I thought it would be fun to mix it up a bit and make either Friday night or Saturday night a copycat night for some of our favorite places.  This week it's Joe's Crab Shack.  


Here's what I have cooking this week:


Monday - Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken, Roasted Veggies and Rice, Rolls (my husband's Grandmother's Recipe) and Grandmother's Chocolate Pie (Recipe to be shared in another post.)


Tuesday - Baked Chicken Parmesan, Tossed Salad, Leftover Rolls, Leftover Pie


Wednesday - Breakfast for Dinner - Waffles with Homemade Maple Flavored Syrup, Cut -Up Fruit, Bacon


Thursday - Beef Fajita Wraps, Mexican Rice, Black Beans, Chocolate-Carmel-Pecan-Cheesecake


Friday - Homemade Pizza Night - Grand Girls will come over and help me make it - SUCH FUN!


Saturday - Copycat Date Night Dinner - JOE'S CRAB SHACK - Coconut Shrimp, Cheesy Potatoes, Slaw, Left over Cheesecake.


Sunday - FFY or Hamburgers on the George Foreman Grill (Easy Peasy)


I hope you take the time to make a menu plan for the week!


Always Count Your Blessings,

Meet Roo!

I want to introduce you to my oldest grand girl Roo!  She is the sweetest, kindest grand daughter a Mimi could ever ask for.  She is a very talented artist, ballet dancer and baker and she's only 4 years old!  She has been pretty sick recently with mono and a bout with the flu.  Through it all she has been a trooper and has kept a strong and upbeat spirit.  I love spending time with her and it's been hard not getting to see her until today!  HEY SWEET ROO, SAY HELLO!

Sourdough Starter and Rolls

Sourdough rolls baked in a muffin tin

Mmmm, I love the smell and taste of fresh out of the oven sourdough rolls.  In the spirit of the upcoming holidays; I want to share with you my favorite recipe for sourdough starter mix and bread.  I think that the rolls are really best when you've used the starter several times and it's had time to really sit and get better with time.  This is a really great gift idea for your friends and relatives at the holidays.  Who wouldn't LOVE getting bread AND a starter for making their very own to share with their friends and loved ones. 

Texas Sourdough Bread Starter

3 pkgs. yeast

1 c. warm water

Starter Feed:

3/4 c. sugar

3 Tbsp. instant potato flakes

1 c. warm water

Combine yeast and warm water; refrigerate, covered for 3 to 5 days.  Take out and feed with starter feed. Mix starter feed well and add to the starter.  Let stand out of the refrigerator for 5 to 12 hours.  Mixture will be very bubbly.  Take out 1 cup to make bread and return starter to refrigerator.  Keep in the refrigerator 3 to 5 days and feed again.  If not making bread after feeding starter, throw away or give away 1 cup to avoid depleting starter.

Sourdough Bread

1/3 c. sugar

1/2 c. corn oil

1 tsp. salt

1 c. starter

1 1/2 c. warm water

6 c. bread flour

Combine ingredients and make a stiff batter.  Grease another bowl.  Put dough in greased bowl and turn over, oily side on top.  Cover with foil and let stand overnight. (Do not refrigerate.)  The next morning, punch down.  Divide into thirds.  Knead each part on floured surface 8 to 10 times.  Grease 3 loaf pans and turn each loaf over in pan so it has oil on both sides.  Let rise in pans for 4 to 5 hours (all day is also okay), covered with wax paper.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 25 minutes.  Remove and brush with butter.  Cool on rack.  Wrap well and store in refrigerator.  Bread may also be frozen.  Also, rolls can be made instead of loaves.  (Use a jellyroll pan or muffin tin to shape rolls in.)

I'm sharing this recipe and gift giving idea at the following blogs:

and

Tasty Tuesday at

Come on over and join the fun.

Always Count Your Blessings,

My First Ever Metamorphosis Monday and Do It Yourself Day Tuesday Post

AND

I am so excited to get to participate in my very first Metamorphosis Monday hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. I'll also be participating in Do It Yourself Day on Tuesday over at A Soft Place to Land with Kimba. My little projects are just that, little. However, they make a big impact at our house. The first one is a plant stand that I've had forever. The top had been torn off and the legs were rusting out. I didn't know that that until I found the stain on my kitchen tile, yikes. I used Krylon Paint in Oil Rubbed Bronze and modge podged the top with scrapbook paper in a pretty design.  


Before:

After:

Next I had a very cheap looking gold plastic mirror that was given to me years ago.  I had tried to antique it a long time ago.  It really helped to tone that awful gold down but it was still not working that well in my dining area.  I used my new best friend Krylon Oil Rubbed Bronze on it too.  I was just amazed at how that cheap little mirror instantly put weight on!  It looks like a very beautiful heavy mirror now.  I am just giddy with excitement.

Before:

                                          

After:

Can you believe it?  Sorry about the picture quality.  The cloudy weather is making my already bad photo taking abilities even worse.  Now I'm off to spray paint anything else that I can find that isn't nailed down.....

Don't forget to check out the other great transformations at Between Naps On The Porch and A Soft Place to Land.

Always Count Your Blesssings,

Did you know?

Wal-Mart will price match the CVS and Walgreens ads?  I admit that I am not a huge Wal-Mart fan.  I do however look for good deals and if that takes me to Wally World then so be it.

 I was out with one of my clients the other day and as we were looking at houses and getting to know each other, we discovered that we both love to coupon and shop the sales. I asked her if she played the CVS and Walgreens "games" and her response was no.  Upon further probe I discovered that she just takes the ads to Wal-Mart and price matches.  They will give you the price of the product after what you would get in bucks to use on another visit.  Now I know, I know, you guys that do this rolling buck thing and do multiple transactions at a time will tell me that I am missing the point in working the system.  I say, do you know how many times that I've had "bucks" that I needed to use and forgot about them or was sick or whatever and they expired, lost forever?

I really LOVE the idea that I can go to one place, get my discounted merchandise, use a coupon and be done with it until the following week AND still feel good about saving money.  I'm just sayin........

So, here's what I got at Wal-Mart when price matching the weekly CVS ad:

1 4 oz. Total for .99
1 Total toothbrush for .99
2 Revlon nail colors for .99 each
Total before coupons - $3.96
After coupons - $1.96

Regular price of these products were $3.96 each, for a total of $15.84.  That's a savings of $13.88 or 88% of retail.

SCORE!!!!

Menu Plan Monday

Here's my menu plan for the week.  I will only be cooking 4 days this week.  We'll have leftovers one night and we are going Lubbock on the weekend to see DH's sister. She will be in from Alaska visiting for her birthday.  We're looking forward to seeing her; it's been a couple of years.  We have tickets to go to the Texas Tech Football game while there, they are so much fun!  Go Red Raiders!!

I'm excited about the cooler fall days and my menus this week reflect that.  Here goes:

Monday:  Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Bread, Caramel Apple Pudding Cake

Tuesday:  Pan Roasted Chicken with Shallots and Zucchini, Carrots, Left Over Bread, Baked Pumpkin Pudding

Wednesday:  Enchilado Casser-Ole', Tossed Salad, Brownies

Thursday:  FFY or Leftovers

Friday:  Homemade Copycat Olive Garden Night - Pasta E Fagioli Soup, Copycat Olive Garden Salad, Bread Sticks, Torta Di Cioccolato Cake

Saturday: Out of town

Sunday: Out of town

Of course I am linking this week's and every week's menu with Laura's Menu Plan Monday at I'm An Organizing Junkie.  You will want to go there and check out all the wonderful recipes that my blogging friends are sharing this week.  For the past couple of weeks there have been over 400 participants, go Laura!

Christmas Countdown

With Fall finally here and October now upon us, Halloween and Thanksgiving will quickly come and go. I intend to be more organized this Christmas, prepared to be much more frugal than in years past.  Even if I did have the money to buy expensive gifts this year (which I don't), I feel like it would be in very poor taste given the current economic condition of our country.  I really want to make this Christmas more meaningful than they have been in recent years.

Last year we had so many presents for the little ones that they were completely overwhelmed and many gifts were simply left unopened.  I can't seem to get that memory out of my head.  When my boys were little we made tree ornaments and family members gifts, some of which I still have or still see when I go visit relatives.  Christmas certainly wasn't about how expensive the gifts were; but more about being together in celebration.

I want our family to refocus on the REAL meaning of Christmas.  I am so very thankful for the birth of our precious Saviour and Lord.  I want to get all of the glitz and glitter out of the way and spend time celebrating Jesus' Birthday with my family.

There is a great website called Organized Christmas.  It is an amazing site with tons of free planners, checklist and so much more to make your holiday less stressful.  Take a moment and go there.  You will want to bookmark this site for future reference.  It's a keeper.

Tell me how will you make this Christmas different than years past?

Gettin' His Groove On

I was sent this really cute video today by a friend of mine.  It's too cute not to share.  This certainly should bring a smile to your face.  Enjoy!

Down memory lane with my cookbooks.....

Lately it's hard not to think about cooler weather, pumpkins, holidays and family gatherings.  Fall is in the air even here in Texas.  One of the things that I really enjoyed doing years ago when I was a stay at home mom to my 3 precious little boys, was to curl up on the couch with a warm cup of coffee, cocoa, or apple cider and pour over cookbooks.  Yep, cookbooks!  Nothing made me happier.  I've always had a passion for cooking and baking, really mostly baking.  Ask any one of my boys and they will tell you that they fondly remember the evening meal together as a family.  Rarely was there a meal served that did not include homemade bread of some sort (before I owned a bread machine), and a wonderful dessert of something gooey and delicious.  

It's so easy now to jump online, type in a specific ingredient and have hundreds of different recipes at a clicks notice.  Don't get me wrong, I use the internet for recipes all the time and love that I can find a recipe for anything quickly.  I just miss the slower paced life of living in a very small town, going to the public library on a regular basis, checking out a new to me cookbook and looking for that delicious goodness that might find a permanent place as a family favorite.  

A few years ago I ran across a book that I just had to have, so I added it to my collection.  Yes, it is a cookbook.  It's called "A Return to Sunday Dinner" by Russell Cronkhite.  Oh what a lovely cookbook it is.  There are beautiful pictures and amazing recipes from around the country to remind you of the indelible memories a simple menu can bring your family.  

I think today will be a perfect day to snuggle up with a fuzzy throw, a warm cup of coffee and my precious cookbooks..... here's hoping you too will will find a simple past pleasure to revisit today.

Menu Plan Monday

Well the weather in Texas is milder but not what you would consider fall weather yet.  I'm ready to start making delicious warm comfort food but it's just too hot right now.  Here's what I have planned for my menu this week:

Monday - Oven BBQ Chicken, Corn on the Cob (from my freezer), Black-Eyed Peas, Cornbread, Too Much Chocolate Cake

Tuesday - Chicken Fettucini Alfredo, Salad, Left Over Cake

Wednesday - Tacos, Mexican Rice, Black Beans, Vanilla Ice Cream with Fruit

Thursday - Almond Crusted Chicken with Scallion Rice, Green Beans, Homemade Bread, Coconut Cream Pie

Friday - Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs, Tossed Salad, Left Over Bread, Left Over Pie

Saturday - FFY or Leftovers

Sunday - Hamburgers, Chips, Apple Crumble

If you haven't made it over to Menu Plan Monday at I'm An Organizing Junkie you have to go check out all the wonderful meal plans and links to recipes.  I love it and you will too!

Always Count Your Blessings,

The Bug Makes Brownies

My sweet little 2 year old grand girl Bug spent the evening with me yesterday.  We had lots of fun.  She wanted to show everyone how to make brownies since she is quite the little baker.  We have a really great time when we are together, as you can tell.  She belongs to my middle son and she also is the spitting image of her dad.  She and Gracie are cousins.  Her older sister is Roo.  Okay, here goes the brownies.......

First put your apron on and wait on Mimi to get all the ingredients together.

After you put the Duncan Heinze Brownie mix in the bowl; you pour in one egg that has been cracked in a separate bowl just in case you get shells in it when you open it.....

Then you pour in the oil and water.....

Then you mix it all up.......

You pour it in the greased pan with Mimi's help, then.....

Then you spread it evenly in the pan and finally you......

Put it in the oven at 350 degrees to bake for 35-40 minutes. After that you eat it with a fork cause it has fallen apart since you are eating it before it has a chance to cool completely. (Mimi made sure that she blew on it really good before every bite!)

Yum, Yum.  Bug you certainly know how to make good brownies!!

Sorry about the picture quality, I am certainly not a pro and Bug messed with the camera taking pictures too.  I think she changed some settings, teehee.  Thanks for stopping by and hanging out with us for a little while......

Always Count your blessings,