Collections

Here I sit...staring at the vast collection of "Seaweed" transferware that took me years to collect....a collection I saved and worked very hard for as I longed to have my own place at the beach...Well, that was years ago. And here we are enjoying it and still loving the collection of antique plates, platters, pitchers etc...that adorn the walls here and add to the ambiance that I worked so hard to create. For years and years I've worked on various collections...this one being my "baby" so to speak. I'm not sure why..except that I just truly love it and it evokes in me feelings of warmth, calmness, relaxation, just plain getting away from it all! After all...that's what the beach is all about, right? Being able to enjoy relaxing and  getting away from the everyday worries of normal life....
I am very thankful and grateful that God has allowed us to enjoy this place...it truly is a haven and sometimes it serves its purpose more than you could ever imagine!

We are enjoying time with our youngest son and his friends....it's a place where we can finally "learn" what all is going on in his life and in the lives of his friends as well.
We are anxiously awaiting the middle of the week when Holly and Brad will get here and they can finally unwind, relax and reflect on all that God has in store for them! I feel very confident that God has blessings beyond measure already wrapped up in a package for them so to speak! They will just have to be like a child waiting for Christmas to arrive! I'm so glad they will spend time here...in fact, maybe they will be able to sit and stare and enjoy the "Seaweed" collection as well; if for no other reason to realize that finishing a collection that you've worked very hard for is somewhat like finishing a task that God has put in front of us or learning a life lesson from whatever it is we are going through at the time. If you want to really give this an analogy, our entire life is a collection of things we've learned all along the way. Hopefully, we can be proud of what we've "collected" and know that as long as we are seeking to please Him with our attitudes and actions then He will ultimately turn our "collection of life lessons" into blessings.

Chicken Lasagna Florentine

 Ok....sometimes life just calls for a REALLY good meal! Sometimes it's from stress...most of the time it's from wanting....a REALLY good meal! Which was the case tonight!! Every Sunday I try to "cook ahead" for the week in order to make my life easier...the older I get...and the older my youngest child gets...I'm realizing that in reality...I'm making it harder on myself! I used to be able to cook chicken and shred it and freeze it and label it...or make a casserole and make an extra and freeze it...now...I'm just running out of ideas! and I really don't know who is going to be here for dinner anymore!! It could be the usual...me, Jim and Miller....or it could have Holly and Brad added....or it could have one of Miller's friends added....but as time goes on...I'm seeing the trend head to just me and Jim...and I'm adjusting!

not well mind you!!! ! but I'm adjusting!! I just forgot to adjust tonight when I made a 9 x 13 dish of Chicken Lasagna Florentine!!! One of my ultimate favorite dishes that is usually saved for company!!!

tonight....I just plain wanted it! It's one of the most delicious things I've ever tasted!!! and you can use light everything in it!! I always do! So adjust the recipe to light ingredients to suit your family!!!

hope you like it!!

Chicken Lasagna Florentine

9 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package
1 10 oz frozen chopped spinach, drained very well!
3-4 C chopped cooked chicken
2 C shredded cheddar cheese
1 C parmesan cheese
1/3 C finely chopped onion
1/2 t salt
1 t pepper
1 T soy sauce
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup ( I use 1 1/2 cans!)
3/4 C sour cream
1/2 C mayo
1 small can sliced mushrooms, drained

combine all ingredients well....place 3 noodles in greased 9 x 13...put 1/3 chicken/spinach mixture over noodles and repeat twice....
saute 1 C chopped pecans in 2 T butter....sprinkle over top of casserole....cover tightly with foil. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Let sit for 10 minutes before slicing....So Yummy!!!!

Traditions....

I 

Not too long ago....I could have looked in every room of my house and pointed out pieces of furniture, paintings, keepsakes, you name it...that we had been "given" or had been handed down to us from either our parents or grandparents..and in my case...my great grandmother! The older I get I realize that we have either replaced some of those family treasures or passed them on to our children! I love it! I love the fact that I was always grateful for ANYTHING we were given...if I didn't love it...sometimes I had it "refinished" or painted by a real artist...not me!! One piece in particular stands out...the dresser that is still in our bedroom today! It started out in our tiny little apartment as part of a "bedroom suit" of furniture that we were given by Jim's grandparents. When we could finally afford the bed that we wanted...I simply had an artist friend transform the dresser into a piece that looks rather...well...french I suppose!! and I still love it!! And you can't find pieces like that anymore either!

As is the case with many pieces that I still have today!!! There are several pieces that  I have lovingly shared with Mitch and Britney or Holly and Brad...and numerous pieces that I sold on a whim in a garage sale...Oh...if only I could get them back!! Not only do I regret that I probably made my mother in law sad...I regret the fact that I don't have the furniture! Today it would be a tremendous "find" but knowing that it was a family heirloom so to speak would have made it priceless....
 Case in point...my favorite magazine came in the mail today! Traditional Home! Jim always says..."It's a great day!! Look what came in the mail!" LOL!!! this time...it was extra true! When I saw this glass...this measly old glass that probably NOONE else will notice...I screamed out loud! Literally!!! I have 12 of these!! These were the glasses that noone wanted in the family at the estate sale we had when Jim's grandparents died...after everyone had picked what they wanted...Jim and I went back and looked around...and opened cabinets...and I listened as he talked about these fabulous (rather large) glasses... and even I remembered how on every Christmas morning we would drive up to "Mamie and Pappy's" house and she would serve us the most wonderful Orange Julius' in these beautiful glasses! Since then, I've used them for numerous things...even floated candles in them! and I wouldn't trade them for anything!

On top of that...when I saw this mahogany table...Empire mind you...not my favorite...I quickly took a picture of ours that is sitting in the attic...and I am determined to get in my house! It too...came from Mamie and Pappy's house after all was said and done! And look at just how beautiful it can be!!! Just think...one day one of my children will be passing it down to their child...that is what Tradition is all about! in fact...I do believe it's why I started my antique shop to begin with! I love the traditions behind each and every piece!!!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

              the first of the Daylillie's! acting as if they will look this way forever!

                                 come on Kentucky Wonders! Do your thing!!!!

 i'm holding my breath....in hopes that we will have enough beans for atleast 2 people in our tiny garden!

 my sacred, treasured watermelon radishes! This is our 2nd try...after this....I QUIT!!!!!

 the squash is looking good....

 as long as Mr. Rabbit and his friends don't get into it like last year!!!

 OH....my treasured babies!!! my "heirlooms"!!! Literally!!! You look the best of all!! I think it's finally due to the fact that I did what I was told!!! I buried you half alive! It killed me to put half of your beautiful self into the ground but I was promised great results!!! And so far....so good!!!!!! Cherokee Purples....Banana legs...just to name a few of our heirlooms!! Will keep you posted!!!

 and Peter...I know you have a really cute cottontail and all...but please...I beg you....

 do NOT destroy my garden!!! We've worked so hard this year!!!

and the beautiful fig trees....going on their 3rd year...this is supposed to be their GLORY year!!! We shall see....we shall see!!!! 

maybe we will be making fig preserves in July....you never know!!! If Jim and Miller and Mitch would just go to "The country","The Farm" whatever you want to call it!! Hog's Heaven is what Pappy named it!!!  ......not only would we have figs...we could also have catfish!! along with all of those glorious veggies that will be picked!!! ( or that I will buy at the local curb market!!!) but Pappy would love it!! and Mamie would be saying or yelling , "Tom...." I can hear her now in that sweet southern drawl... I just wish they were still around to see my "efforts" in our backyard!! 

God blesses us when we least expect it!

How come....when I'm in the worst mood? or the absolute tiredest that I've ever been...we always seem to have a "function " to go to? It never fails! I always accept with such gratitude several weeks before...I even say I'm looking forward to it! And I REALLY mean it!!! and then..... it's as if I start hearing the music from jaws approaching... da dum...da dum....and I try not to say anything to Jim...simply because he will say... "yeah, yeah, yeah! I've heard this before!" but it's so very true!!! and then finally, unwillingly I manage to get myself out of the chair or up off of the sofa and "powder my nose" or put on some more lipstick and we hit the road! And then I walk in the door of "said" event smiling...and usually...end up having a wonderful time!
The same exact thing happened tonight! Only this time...as opposed to saying too much about how tired I was...I just slept for about 30 minutes because for the first time EVER!!! it was for real!!! and the other thing....this event  was at my precious in laws house and there was NO getting out of it and it was USELESS TO COMPLAIN!!! Not that I didn't want to support them...or eat her wonderful food!! I was just plain wiped out! and I had Miller here doing ACT tutoring, needing multiple dinners, etc...!!! All of the usual things parents do with 17 year old children at home!! I was nothing special!! So I had no excuse but to GO!!!!
Boy was I glad I did!!! As usual...when you go to something that God totally has His hand on...how can you not be blessed?
Very long story short...my incredible father in law, who is very well respected in our community, has run several businesses and most importantly...been the wonderful husband to my mother in law and was such an example to my sweet hubby- and also such a fabulous grandfather...decided that when he retired...he WOULDN'T RETIRE!!!! Yes...you heard me!! He works harder than ever!!! Truthfully, we really thought he shouldn't be doing this the first time he told us...we wanted to see him rest and enjoy life! ( I've often wondered if God laughed at our thoughts!!)
You see....Tom...my father in law...is indeed enjoying life! He is enjoying it the way God intended for him to...on His plan and not ours! He is now the CEO of the National Christian Foundation of Alabama! ( sounds impressive, huh?)
What he does is facilitate the means to spread the gospel, basically! How rewarding is that? He helps people that want to put their hard earned money into trusts do so  and then he helps them invest it in ways that not only benefit and grow their money and savings but he also enables them to use it for furthering God's work....
So tonight was about furthering God's work...it was about getting the people together that Tom has assembled to be a committee of sorts! It was about informing the wives! which I greatly appreciated...after I woke up!!! :) It was about fellowship and eating alot of delicious food that MaryAnne prepared so lovingly....
Mostly, it was about the people that are on the front lines and need our help and support! It was about the lady that is the head of Operation Blessings...Jodie Gettys and her describing exactly what the teams are doing to provide relief for those so torn apart by the recent outbreak of tornados that ravaged our state...
Yes..my husband and my child have been to Pleasant Grove...I have a friend who's sister in law was sucked out of her home and killed....but I haven't been...I haven't seen first hand just what these people are going through! Someone said tonight...It doesn't matter if it's the earthquake in Hawaii or the Tsunami in Japan or the Tornados in Alabama or the Floods in Mississippi and Louisianna....it's all disaster and it's all tragedy and people just need help!!
The last person we met was Frank Woodson...actually my husband has known him for awhile but I was privileged to be able to meet him and his lovely wife, Trevor. What a blessing they were!! He is now the head of Mission to Birmingham and Mayor Bell has actually put him in charge of coordinating storm relief efforts! WOW!! Now that's a big job!!! Not only that...but FEMA has asked him to stay on and coordinate "faith based" organizations and relief efforts! Now I would call that a Grand Slam! What a way to minister! And yet it is hard.... oh, so very hard! As he spoke tonight my heart and mind came together...he spoke of the grateful ones...and then the ones taking advantage of such serious situations! It's hard for alot of us to comprehend that people would actually use such a tragic situation and try to get ill gains from it...but they do! But I left encouraged!! Which is the only reason I am even writing this post!
You see...when I post something on my blog...either it's yummy recipe...or a deep concern...or something I am learning at the moment!! I really am a "fly by the  seat kind of gal" which is not only a line from our favorite movie..but pretty much true about me! But I'm hoping it won't stay that way! 47 years is a very long time to fly by the seat of your pants so to speak! I think it's about time that we take control of that seat!!! and then hand it right on over to God Almighty, the Author of life, who has for now...blessed me with these...( thank you to Karen Kingsbury for that quote! it is my favorite!)
*please know this was just from tonight's meeting. There are hundred's of things that the National Christian Foundation is involved in....please feel free to check them out for yourself and get involved! That truly is their desire!

My First Blogging Award!

I feel as if I have just been crowned "Miss Mardi Gras"! When I was in high school I entered that pageant and only came in 3rd runner up!!! LOL!!! Trust me...this definitely tops that!!! I've been dying for a blogging award! Simply because I am old! And it takes me forever to figure any of this out!!! I want an A for effort at least!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you....and last but not least..."World Peace!" is my final answer!!
I am extremely thankful to Holly  for presenting me with this award and as part of my acceptance there are some responsibilities that apply which include thanking the person who sent it to me by linking back to their site (this also applies to those I am passing this award onto as well) sharing 7 things about myself and then having the pleasure of passing this prestigious award to 15 others.I begin this post by expressing my grattitude and excitement over winning my 1st blog award presented to me from my fellow blogging friend, Holly, the creator of Simple Quintessential Cuisine

http://www.simplequintessentialcuisine.com/ 

Holly  has a wonderful blog full of great recipes that I know you will enjoy. Be sure to check it out!


ok....here goes! 7 things about me! 
1-I'm married to the most wonderful man in the world! We will celebrate our 28th Anniversary this August!!
2-I have 3 wonderful children! Two of them are married and I'm very blessed with a wonderful son in law and daughter in law that I feel like are my own! 
3-My youngest child is now officially a senior in high school!!!! Alot of blogging about him will be going on in the next 12 months...I feel sure!!!
4-Before I opened my own shop, I had an interior design business with my best friend of almost 30 years!!! it was called Grapevine Interiors!!
5-I love to read....and I love to write! Which is why I even started blogging in the first place! It was meant to be a place where I could share my feelings about the different struggles I was facing....it ended up being alot more!!
6-I love the beach! I could live there at least 6 months out of the year and the first thing I want to ask God when I get to heaven is why something so wonderful has to be bad for you! I could sit in the sun for hours if only it wasn't! 
7- I'm trying my hand at gardening! I love the idea of a garden but not so sure I like the work!!


Now on to the most important part of this award!! Passing it on to others! Here are the 15 people that I think definitely deserve this award! I'm sure you will enjoy reading all of their blogs...they are all very Versatile!!!




Art by Karena
Bargain Hoot
ButterYum
Christiana's Kitchen
Haven and Home
leavie rose
North Dakota Kitchen
One Perfect Bite
Otter Hill
Plain Chicken
Splendid Sass
The Baker Chick
Things That Inspire
Life on Orchard Road
Adirondack Baker

A huge thank you is definitely in order to all of you for all that I have gained from "knowing" you! I appreciate all of your tips, suggestions, etc...but mostly I appreciate your friendship and your listening skills!!!
much, much love!

"The Tourist"!!!

 Ok....so, tonight we were extra tired! It sounded like our best option was to stay home and "do nothing"!
 eat in and watch a movie!!! If we could find one that is!!!
 Of course I had said the usual to Miller..."sure wish you would have your friends over here and do something!" of course...I got the same generic response! and of course...they are ( as usual )  somewhere out on 119!! The highway that will forever haunt me as I was the first of my group of friends to move out there and HATED it!!! ( 1979 )  hated it ONLY because I was the first one to live out there...and I hate being the first!!! and all of my friends used to make fun and say "Oh, well I guess I will have to pack a lunch to come out and see you! " And then,  for years....my children have begged us to move out there!!! OH WELL!!! Almost done!!! 2011....2012!

fresh basil from the garden

For once...we were right!!! Now granted...when I saw that sun peek out from behind the clouds around sunset... my heart backpedaled fast!!! and I made Jim run to the front windows and get a good look...then run to the back windows and get an even better look! and then luckily, my brain took over and  I realized that it was ok to skip one friday night at Bottega! A little bit later... it really hit me...I was Oh SO GLAD to be HOME!!!!

still figuring out what all to add to the pizza!

It's almost perfect!

And making homemade pizza, nonetheless!!! Our movie choice was excellent! My daughter and her husband were watching it as well in Anniston so we trusted their decision!! :)

In fact-we liked it so much that we named our new homemade pizza after it!

"The Tourist"! 

 It was so incredibly delicious that I knew I had to share it with you! Just wish I had shared the actual pizza itself as I'm so full now I can't even believe it! The fact that a movie finally kept my attention the ENTIRE time...definitely deserves to have a pizza named in it's honor!

WOW!!! it was divine!!

Hope you enjoy it!!!

1 ready made pizza crust....( I love the Pillsbury in the can when you're tired...or  even when you aren't!)
3/4 C Cento Pizza Sauce
2 grilled Apple and Chicken Sausages sliced thinly
1 can sliced mushrooms, drained and chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, diced and steamed slightly in microwave
lots of fresh mozzarella cheese, diced and spread all over
parmesan cheese
3 tomatoes sliced thinly
6 basil leaves, torn and spread over pizza
2 C shredded mozzarella cheese

spread dough onto greased pizza pan...spread sauce evenly..sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Spread sliced, grilled sausages over top, sprinkle with green bell pepper, mushrooms and fresh mozzarella....Top with tomato slices, sprinkle basil on top and cover heavily with shredded mozzarella!!
Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until slightly brown! let sit for 5 minutes before serving...If you can!!!
Enjoy!!!

seriously...I can't even remember the last "new" movie we've watched or the last time we've stayed in on a Friday night...it finally felt right...even as we near the empty nest stage! I think I've been fighting that and I don't know exactly why except that I think in the back of my brain I think we are having to "give up " something! Which couldn't be further from the truth! Tonight..we gained alot! Time alone...Enjoyable time...time in our house which we never have since we both work...and time to sit and relax and watch a movie!!! That's unheard of in our vocabulary!!! On top of all that!!! We invented and named a pizza in it's honor!! The Tourist!!!

on top of all that!!!! we must go to Venice soon!!! this movie so made me want to travel!!!!

Am I His one and only?

Lyrics to One And Only :

You've been on my mind
I grow fonder every day loose myself in time
Just thinking of your face God only knows
Why it's taking me so long to let my doubts go
You're the only one that I want

I don't know why I'm scared, I've been here before
Every feeling every word, I've imagined it all,
You never know if you never tried to forgive your past
And simply be mine

I dare you to let me be.....your one and only
Promise I'm worthy to hold in your arms
So come on and give me the chance
To prove I'm the one who can
Walk them miles until the air starts

You hang on every word I say, lose yourself in time
At the mention of my name, will I ever love
How it feels to hold you close
And have you tell me which ever road I chose you'll go

I dare you to let me be your one... your one and only
I promise I'm worthy to hold in your arms
So come on and give me the chance
To prove I'm the one who can
Walk them miles until the air starts

I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart

Nobody's perfect, it ain't easy, trust me I've given up your heart
Nobody's perfect, it ain't easy, trust me I've given up your heart

So I dare you to let me be your one....your one and only
I promise I'm worthy to hold in your arms
So come on and give me the chance
To prove I'm the one who can
Walk them miles until the air starts..

Come on and give me the chance
To prove that I'm the one who can
Walk them miles......

several weeks ago I saw Haley sing an Adele song on American Idol and I've been hooked ever since! It was truly amazing and my sweet husband has downloaded all of Adele's songs etc for me....and I've memorized every word and spent many, many hours listening and enjoying them! then all of a sudden...tonight...because I am "alone" in my feelings...my doubts about decisions we've let our child make...feeling lonely and depressed ...even angry that Miller didn't get tapped into the National Honors Society today after we filled out all of the paper work since he was "nominated" ...I felt "justisfied"....I poured my heart out to God as I lay on the bathroom floor...weeping...( a bit dramatic, I realize that !!! ) but I'm just being honest here!! Listening to this song just fueled my fire....until all of a sudden it hit me that God could be singing this to ME!!!! I've been on HIs mind....He simply wants me to be HIS!!! He wants ME to be HIS one and only!!!! He wants to hold ME in HIS arms!!! He has walked those miles that Adele is singing about!!! He knows I'm scared...He knows every feeling I've ever felt...in fact..He felt it long before I ever existed! He desires that I hang on His every word because it is the truth...the biblical truth that will set me free from all of these earthy feelings that I am dealing with tonight! He's certainly not "daring" me as Adele sings in her song but he's pleading...he's telling me that He is the only way to a life filled with eternal happiness...Why am I even seeking earthly or temporal happiness? Why am I so stupid is what I want to ask myself!! He has certainly walked the miles for me and He certainly knows that it's not easy for me to give up my heart!!! And He is so very worthy! If only I would let go and trust Him and  rest in the fact that HE KNOWS!!!! He knows my weaknesses! He knows that I'm extremely prideful! He knows I only wanted this for Miller because...well, truthfully, I wanted it so badly growing up that I have somehow conveyed that to my children...and sweet Miller really wanted it...for me...and for him...and I think that makes me even more sad! I guess it should make me glad...and proud...not in a haughty way mind you! But proud of my youngest child that so eagerly seeks to please...and yet I so quickly condemn! Oh my!!! I'm basically lecturing myself here, you know! He has done nothing wrong...and everything right and yet...it's never good enough for me...and if that's what I'm conveying to him....then boy...do I need a wake up call!!! Hopefully, this is it! 


Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean NOT on your own understanding! In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths!


vs. 7-8 Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones!


oh my! I've never, ever concentrated on the verses after Proverbs 3:5-6.... God really blessed me tonight by showing me verses 7 and 8! I am bad to be wise in my own eyes and I sure do need healing and refreshment! 
Thank you, Lord...for all that you are teaching me...I pray that I will be receptive...

Where I Blog and Why!

Where I blog is really the easy part of this particular post! It's the "why" that may take a while to define!

but....this week I'm part of a "linky" party and we've been asked to describe where we blog!!! 

see my tennis shoes? 

Having said that..."Welcome to my world!"

I sit in the same room, in the same chair every time I blog! Unless we are at the beach...but even there I have my same room and my same sofa! Anyway...I never, ever blog at the same time of day because that  would be virtually impossible for me! I never know when an inspiration to write might hit me...and I'm 

certainly not home alot during the day being that I own my own shop. Usually...I blog very late at night

much to my husbands dismay! It is causing me to be really sleepy lately so I'm trying to come up with a better solution!

Rosie!

Maybe I should ask my "blogging partner"! LOL! She sits in her same chair right beside my chair being that she can't sit with my while I'm holding my laptop! But she is always faithful and never leaves until I get up! She may drift off every now and then!

Now on to the "why" part!

 I've wanted to write for as long as I can remember! It's really the best way I can express myself...or truly communicate my feelings! When I try to talk about them alot of times it just doesn't come out the way I intend for it to! Also, it's my favorite way to relax besides cooking! I deal with people all day long and so when I get home I love to cook in my own little world until my family comes home or to sit in my sunroom and think about the things that happened or the people I met or the recipes I want to try, etc....
And...it's pretty much like keeping a journal of my thoughts or my prayer requests and it's extremely therapeutic for me! Not so sure it is for everyone else out there...but then I guess they don't have to read it if they don't want to!
Ok-a quick explanation of what I have to blog about!
I am married to the love of my life...we will celebrate our 28th Anniversary this August!

my wonderful husband, Jim

I have three wonderful children: my oldest, Mitch is married to Britney and they have my precious 4 year old grandaughter, Layton!

my second, Holly is married to her high school sweet heart Brad..and they will celebrate their 2nd Anniversary next month! Hard to believe!

 my youngest, Miller is 17 and is finishing his junior year in high school! You can bet I will be blogging away next year as I prepare to be an empty nester and try not to cry all of the time!

 

I love to cook, read, try to grow vegetables and relax at the beach when we can! I've had an anitque shop for almost 12 years and I still love it! It too is an "outlet"!

I've had so much fun getting to know the women in my blog group and we are still in the process of trying to come up with a fun name for our group. Each of them have such interesting lives and seem very similar to me in the reasons we do what we do! I've also met several wonderful "friends" through blogging all over the country and we truly have built some close friendships and bonds. They've been encouraging to me and definitely   helped me to learn how to be a better blogger!

Barbeque Chicken Pot Pie

                           Chicken Pot Pie???? but it's Cinco de Mayo!!!!!!!!!

I will admit....this year, for some unknown reason...I've really craved mexican food in order to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

however....we had a Nicaragua Missions trip re-union.....

well, that put a stop to any fun dinner because Miller also has basketball tryouts this week...everyday...until 6:45 and the meeting started at 7:00!!

so....as a compromise...when we picked up the Johnny Ray's pie to take as my contribution for the dessert....(5 years ago you couldn't have paid me to take a "store bought" dessert to anything!) These days...I'm doing good just eat my own breakfast!!!! anyway...when we picked up the pie we also picked up a pound of their chopped white chicken...what a wonderful invention!! That and the rotisserie chicken from the grocery store have majorly simplified alot of our lives!!

and I was satisfied with my barbeque chicken pot pie with a cornbread crust for Cinco de Mayo! at least the sauce somewhat resembles that of a true Mole sauce....and it was...Oh so yummy!!!!  Hope you enjoy!!

                                                    Barbeque Chicken Pot Pie
      
1 T butter
1 large onion, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
2 cloves minced garlic
-saute all together for 3-4 minutes, add
1 small can chopped green chilies
-continue sauteing for 3-4 more minutes.....
add
1 1/4 C chicken broth
1/4 C apple cider vinegar
2 T brown sugar
1- 1 1/2 lbs chopped chicken
1 12oz bottle chili sauce
1 1oz square unsweetened chocolate, grated finely ( trust me...this is what makes it!!!)

cook for 10 minutes or so until slightly thickened

place in greased 7 x 11 pan or slightly larger....and top with any of these variations of cornbread crust:

* one refrigerated roll of cornbread twists....twisted together to make a lattice crust- bake 350 for 30- 40 minutes...let sit 10-15 minutes before serving.

* 1 box of Jiffy cornbread muffin mix, made as package instructs and poured over chicken mixture- bake 350 for 30-40 minutes or until slightly browned...let sit 10-15 minutes before serving.

* or Cornbread Batter
3/4 C selfrising buttermilk cornmeal
3/4 C all purpose flour
1/2 t salt
2 t baking powder
2 T sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
3 T oil
1/2 C milk, a tad more if seems a bit dry....but it probably won't need it!
* optional....1 T chopped jalopeno peppers....I didn't do it but that's not to say it wouldn't be good!
-pour over chicken mixture evenly, bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes or until crust is slightly browned....let sit for 10-15 minutes before serving.
DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!

*I've done each of these cornbread toppings and they are ALL delicious!!!! It just depends on what I have on hand at the time!!!!

A Killer Mac 'N' Cheese!

There is alot to celebrate today!  People beginning to rebuild lives after our devastating tornado outbreak...the death of a vicious man....the freedom's we have in America!!!
What better way to celebrate than with Jamie Oliver's version of an American classic!!


• 3 T butter
• 3 heaped tablespoons plain flour
• 10 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely sliced
• 6 fresh bay leaves
• 1 quart 2% milk
• 4 C elbow macaroni
• 8 tomatoes
• 1 1/2 C freshly grated Cheddar cheese
• 1 C freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• a few sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves picked
optional: a couple of splashes of Worcestershire sauce
• optional: a grating of nutmeg
• 3 big handfuls of fresh breadcrumbs
• olive oil heat. Stir and toss the crumbs around until crunchy and golden all over. Remove from the heat and tip into a nice bowl. Serve your macaroni cheese in the centre of the table, with your bowl of crispy breadcrumbs for sprinkling over, and a lovely green salad.

in an ovenproof casserole dish.....

 add the flour and turn the heat up to medium, stirring all the time, until you get a paste – this is your roux. Add all the sliced garlic – don’t worry about the amount because each slice will caramelise like toffee in the roux. Keep cooking and stirring until golden and the garlic is nice and sticky. Add the bay leaves and slowly whisk in the milk a little at a time to ensure you get a nice smooth sauce. Bring the mixture to the boil, then leave it on a low heat to simmer and tick away, stirring occasionally. Preheat your oven to 220ºC/425ºF/gas 7.

Add the pasta to the pan of boiling salted water and cook according to the packet instructions. Meanwhile, roughly chop the tomatoes on a board and season them well with salt and pepper. Drain the pasta and add it immediately to the sauce. Give it a good stir and take the pan off the heat. Stir in your grated cheeses, chopped tomatoes and thyme leaves. A little Worcestershire sauce added now is nice, and so is a little grating or two of nutmeg. Now work on the flavour – taste it and season it until it’s hitting the right spot. You want it to be slightly too wet because it will thicken up again in the oven, so add a splash of water if needed.

If you’ve made your sauce in an ovenproof casserole-type pan, leave everything in there; if not, transfer it to a deep earthenware dish. Bake it for 30 minutes in the oven, until golden, bubbling, crispy and delicious.

Mother's Day is Almost Here!!

Make sure you don't forget your mother! What a special way to honor her this year with a one of a kind piece of pottery made by Caroline Reehl! She would love it and treasure it forever!!