Loving this beach trip!!!

                                                                                                          If nothing else...this beach trip has been enlightening....before tonight I would've said it's been the most relaxing beach trip we've had in quite a while! While still relaxing....having 3 teenage boys with you can still keep you on your toes!!! As it should!!
I now know that boys will always laugh inappropriately...and maybe I should too...they will always be boys...even when they become dads...they will always try your patience and yet you will always love them and love being around them!!! When they give you hugs...treasure them!! Laugh at their silliness...assure them of their abilities and ALWAYS encourage them and love them for who they are!!!

 And then....head off with a good book...sit under an umbrella and pretend you are all alone!!

lyn on

Source: etsy.com via Carolyn on Pinterest

When it's my 70th Birthday Party!!!

I can only hope and pray (and yes, diet and exercise!!) that I look as good as Pam Collier did tonight!! She was radiant! I couldn't believe we were actually greeted by the birthday girl herself!!! What a fun night it was!!! The best part...besides being hugged by Pam....was getting to see all sorts of old and dear friends! The people that have shaped my life and enabled me to be the wife, mother, daughter, friend, etc...that I am today.

Jim and I  walked in to Mountain Brook Country Club only to be greeted by Pam herself in a very loving embrace...that made my day!! then, a multitude of friends stood before me...it was almost overwhelming! It's always like the best reunion ever when I go to an event like this because it is so truly special!! I was blessed to be standing by Mary Jo Kynerd...and we talked...and I mean really talked...not superficial stuff..but really, really talked. For the first time, I didn't feel like a student...or the mom of a student...but I felt like her friend! How special was that? I've known her for most of my life and now I can talk to her as a friend! I've noticed that about life lately...I'm finally able to realize that the people that were in "authority" over me...are now my friends..and really always have been! Just like Jane Harris...who is now my new best friend!! ( I do mean that Jane!! or Mrs. Harris!! ) anyway...to see Jane Harris when you walk in a room and she is smiling at you like she WANTS to talk to you and truly cares...well...it makes me want to cry!! that's what it does!! but then it let's me know that God is listening...and He knew all along that I wanted to be loved by these special people that I am surrounded by all of the time and yet somehow...I took them for granted!!! Well...NOT ANYMORE!!!

Then I was able to spend time with my dear  friend, Robin, that I can remember being my friend for the longest time!! ( I won't say OLD friend!!! because she isn't!! She's my age...actually she's 2 months younger!!! )
To hear Robin ask about Holly and Brad and Mitch and Britney and Miller....to know that she really cares even when we never see each other...an occasional text or phone call is all that happens!! meant the world to me all over again!!! To hear her bear her soul over a dear friend of hers  that is truly ill and may lose the use of her hand and to be asked to pray for this friend was again....truly a blessing and an encouragement to me beyond anything I could have asked for!!! I love the way my friends...are truly like my family! The people that I have been blessed to know over the past 35 years at Briarwood Church and School...the ones that I've kept in contact with...the ones that know me...for the good and the bad...can never, ever be replaced!! I am so blessed and thankful that God has granted me with people that continue to hold me accountable...and continue to love me!!!
On the other hand...it has also been a Tremendous blessing to get to know alot of my friends again over facebook!!! With our 30 year class reunion "Looming" in the near future...we are all talking quite a bit now and I love every minute of it!! Gosh I wish we had all been this mature way back when!! But, as they say...."Hindsight is 20/20!" Today I asked God for hindsight as I floated on a raft, staring at the clouds overhead and realized that I might not want to see the future like I think I do! You know...alot of people I know say it's easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission. What I've never heard anyone say is..."I'm so glad I knew what was ahead....I would've avoided it!!! or I would've been nicer...or I would'nt have said that...." I can go on and on about the what if's in our life...the only way I know to avoid wishing you had seen the future is to know WHO hold's your future and WHO has your future completing planned out!!! WOW! we don't need 20/20 vision!!! We don't need hindsight!!! We simply need Him and the promises He gives..

When it's my 70th Birthday Party...I hope and pray that there is someone, unbeknownst to me that will think all of these thoughts...and I hope and pray that there will be a Mary Jo Kynerd in her life....a Jane Harris in her life.... a Susan Deason in her life.... a Pam Collier in her life...a Robin Trammell especially in her life!!!! and of course....my mom and Mary Anne....I hope I am both of them to this person!!! I hope I get to experience a 70th Birthday Party!!!

A Southern Women's Approach.....

We all know the saying " If you can't say something nice....then don't say anything at all...."

 I say...." yeah, yeah, yeah....what about those of us that just have to go ahead and speak our mind?"

ok...I will give..." a little! " I will only say something nice!!!!

which is why for the first time ever on this blog I'm showing you pictures that should be on my shop's blog!!! What I really want to say and talk about will have to come later!!!

but for now!!! just look at all of these wonderful treasures we are bringing into the shop to get my mind off of what I really want to be doing!!!!

I am focusing on these beautiful mirrors, antique decanters, majolica plates, creamware, fun clocks and much, much more!!! We just returned from our best market trip ever in my opinion!!!

I guess I work better under pressure...

sometimes the pressure to perform and to conform can be overwhelming....

that's why we meet Mitch at La Paz and I get a good "dose" of Layton and her hugs! even though Poppy didn't take the picture quite soon enough...she really was having fun playing hide and seek around the clock like she always does!!!!

                                                                                and this my friends...

                                                                       is what keeps me going when I just want to curl up and cry some days!!!

What? you've never heard anyone admit that before?? ha ha!!

oh yes....sometimes life doesn't quite turn out like you had planned....

and then He gives us His promise to never leave us or forsake us!!! and we know that even though our hearts may be hurting...His rainbow of promise definitely makes it "all better "....just like Layton's
smile!!

It's only been 9 days!

Ok...I'm admitting that I'm a little worried about myself! Thankfully, I'm sitting in my beloved sunroom looking at a glorious sunset and very thankful for all that God has given to me! However, while getting a pedicure today I began to reflect...oh...shouldn't have done that!! Of course all I could think about was the fact that 10 days ago Holly and I sat there together and I remembered thinking that one day I would be there alone and be sad!! For the love....it's just a pedicure! But...it stirred memories and today IS Brad's birthday and Holly DID send me a picture of the birthday balloons and streamers and the special breakfast that she had made for him and her text simply read...."proud of my decorations? I'm trying to be like you!"...need I elaborate? The tears did flow...and that's not all bad! I was very proud of my baby girl and all that she has done to make each move in their first 2 years of marriage exciting and fun and establish a home in each place that they have lived! I can only imagine the stories they will tell their children one day and how they will look back FONDLY on these memories and tell others how God used this in their life to strengthen them in many ways!!! I am also praying that Jim and I can be very supportive and enjoy these memories as well!! Maybe that's why after the pedicure I found myself in Barnes and Noble buying 2 Cajun Novels and 5 cookbooks all on Cajun food or the best restaurants in New Orleans! Oh my!!! I need to start studying them!!! I do love Cajun food but it always looks so difficult!!! We shall see!!! Nonetheless....I did make some really good recipes over the weekend....and even cooked the first batch of my home grown Kentucky Wonder Pole beans! Go figure! They were without a doubt the best green beans I've ever tasted!!! I was so glad!!! The squash and the peas weren't bad either...or the tomatoes...but the Beans!!! they were delicious!  The two new recipes are right here! I found them on one of my favorite blog sites...Plain Chicken...she also writes for the Birmingham News so you can see her recipes in both places...they are always simple and good!!! This was a great dinner for me and for Miller tonight as Jim is at a meeting...Miller must be very intuitive because he sat here and ate and TALKED!!!! and seemed like he really cared! and I think he did...we talked about going back to New Orleans...and I shared with him my thoughts and feelings, both good and bad. Sometimes thats really hard for my boys...to really talk and to really listen! But I can tell you that I've seen a tremendous difference in Miller...and he's putting forth alot of effort to do better at both and for that I am FOREVER grateful!!! It was a wonderful dinner just the two of us!!! ( of course, then he raced out the door to Tom's house!!!  and of course, I knew he would! ) at least he had a good dinner that any 17 year old boy would love....minus the squash!!! ha ha!!!

Honey Mustard Chicken Fingers

Olive oil nonstick cooking spray
1 large eggs, beaten
3 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoon honey
1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

6-8 chicken tenders, cleaned

1 1/2 C Panko bread crumbs

2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
* adjust measurements as needed
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  In a pie plate or shallow bowl, whisk the egg, mustard, honey, cayenne, and salt and pepper, to taste, together until thoroughly combined.

Add the panko, salt and pepper, to taste, the paprika, cayenne, and garlic powder to another pie plate and whisk to combine.

  Dredge the chicken tenders through the wet mixture, then the dry mixture, patting the breading on so it adheres. Arrange on a baking sheet, making sure there is ample space between each piece of chicken. Give the chicken a spritz of the olive cooking spray. This will help brown and crisp up the coating.

 of course, this is where you pick your sides!!!!

being that Miller doesn't love Squash...I decided to make Plain Chicken's version of Mac and Cheese!!! You don't even boil the noodles!! It was the best I've ever had!!! and then of course, Jim and I had to try all of the sides!!! It should've just been a veggie dinner with my grandmother's corn muffins!!! Oh well!!! It was so good we had it for three nights!!! If they are tired of it they haven't told me yet!!!

1 (16 oz) pkg elbow macaroni
1 cup milk (I used 1%)
2 cups chicken broth
4 cups shredded cheese - I used a cheddar jack blend
8 oz softened cream cheese, cubed (I used light)
2 tsp onion salt
1 tsp dry mustard
fresh ground pepper
1/2 c flour
1/4 t cayenne pepper
In a large bowl, stir together the macaroni, milk and chicken broth. Add the remaining ingredients and mix together using a large wooden spoon. Pour into a very large, deep casserole dish. *Make sure all the pasta is covered.  It won't cook if it isn't in the liquid mixture.  I just pressed the noodles down in the pan until they were all covered.*  

bake uncovered in a greased dish for 30-40 minutes. Don't let it overcook!!! I almost did!!! I halfed this recipe for just the 3 of us but I also used a little more broth, a little more milk and added white pepper instead of black...I think it gives things like this a more "elegant" flavor! I only used cheddar cheese and I did use light everything! It was divine!!! I also used shell noodles because I had them!! So try it and add your own flair!!!

I Know the Moon is Round

Can I just say that the next time I start thinking I just want to stay home from church and "enjoy" a Sunday...I'm not!! And...if at the last minute I hear that Pastor Reeder is out of town and I think that justifies my not wanting to go....it doesn't!!! If I had missed out on Dr.Bryan Chapell's sermon...I would still be kicking myself!!!
Funny how when you want to have a pity party God seems to send people your way so that you don't!!! It was all about joy in the midst of circumstances... knowing that we are justified by faith because of Christ's death on the cross for us....when he gave the example of a family and their 14 year old daughter who was stricken with cancer...of course I knew my reasons for not being joyful would never hold their own! They shouldn't any way but the more he told of the story and how she kept a journal and that after her death they read her journal and found an index card with simply these words...." I know that the moon is round!" At first they didn't understand but as they read further they realized that throughout her sufferings she had had to learn to trust in God's plan even when she couldn't see it or feel it! Just like when we see only a "sliver" of the moon...we know for a fact that it is round!! There is no doubt whatsoever in our minds that the moon is ALWAYS round!! So why do we doubt God's love for us? or that He has our best interest in mind when we go through whatever it is we are going through! He doesn't change...just like the moon!! God is always love!!! and He is always Sovereign!
Of course then we went to our Sunday School class and today was the beginning of Dr. Frank Barker teaching our class!! Guess what he taught!!! Joy in the midst of circumstances!!!! The examples he gave of the godly men and women who have endured so much...who have called their "sick rooms" their "thanksgiving corners" went on and on...of course....God had my full attention!!!! and I'm grateful for it!!

We started in church with Romans 5:3-5 " More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us!"


to the verses that Dr. Barker taught on....

Psalm 103: 8-12 " The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear him!"

"Twinkie Dessert"

When I say I've never had anything I love more than Twinkie Dessert...I almost mean it!! Of course there are the real things that matter in life like Jim, my children, our parents, etc....but I'm talking Twinkie Dessert here!!! It's a tradition that's never been broken...until last week that is!!! We drove in from moving Holly and Brad to New Orleans on the 4th of July....and we celebrated Will's birthday and much to my delight.... He chose Twinkie Dessert!!! I guess I get to have it twice a year now!!! How fun!!! I've never made it
myself...I've never had to!!  But I can assure you that if Christmas Eve ever gets handed down to me...I will NOT break tradition!!! We WILL have Twinkie Dessert...just like we have had for the past 45 years or so!!!
so here it is....I hope you will at least try it...I promise you will love it!!!

                                                  Twinkie Dessert

1 12 ounce package chocolate chips                      pinch of salt
6 eggs                                                                         1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup sugar                                                                 1 box twinkies!!!

Separate eggs into two bowls. Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler. Sitrring constantly, add 6 egg yolks, one at a time. Beat 6 egg whites in mixer, adding sugar gradually. Fold into chocolate mixture. Add salt and vanilla. Cut twinkies into 3 lengthwise slices. Place a layer of twinkies in a greased 9 x 13 pan. Spread half of chocolate mixture on top, and then layer the rest of the twinkies. Then spread the remaining chocolate mixture on top. Chill overnight. Cut into squares and serve with REAL whipped cream!

* This recipe was given to my mother by my grandmother...( my dad's mom that we call Nain! ) What a special treat to still be making this every Christmas Eve!!!

The History of the Twinkie!!!! ( it should be called the "tradition" of the twinkie!)

1933 - Twinkies were introduced by The Continental Baking Company in Indianapolis, which also made "Wonder Bread" and had a snack line your probably familiar with called Hostess. One of their bakers named James A. Dewar got the idea for the "Twinkie" while he delivered one of their products, a cream filled strawberry shortcake. The machines to make these sat idle when the strawberry season was over so he came up with an idea to use them to make a snack cake filled with a banana filling, and only charge a nickel for a package of 2. It was good idea as money was tight for people during the great depression.

Dewar came up with this name when driving by a billboard that had an ad for shoes from the "Twinkle Toe Shoe Company". He shortened the name to ....Twinkies....

1940's

Just like the song went "Yes We Have No Banana's " popular during the WWII because bananas were rationed, Hostess had to come up with a different filling.

They switched to vanilla creme and it was popular so they never changed back.

1950

The Twinkie rose to popularity in the '50's in great part due to Hostess sponsoring the Howdy Doody show, featuring the twinkie.

During the 60's when there were huge fears of a nuclear attack, Many bomb shelters were built. Twinkees were one of the most popular items to have because it was said that they "stay fresh forever".

It has become an American Icon, even president Clinton put one in a time capsule.

They remain as Hostess best selling snack cake producing half a billion a year!

if only they had known about "Twinkie Dessert"!! I'm so glad to know the history of the Twinkie! I guess I should've done a re-search paper on it or something a very long time ago! I guess I like it for a good reason...it has history and tradition and a meaning....all of which are very important! mainly I just like it because it tastes so good!!! and it's chocolate!!! 

Grilled Chicken Reubens!!!

 I've always been a fan of any Reuben sandwich...my mother taught me well as it is one of her all time favorites!!  Once we got home from New Orleans I made out my menu for the week and realized just how easy it truly is to only cook for the three of us!! which sometimes ends up being just the 2 of us when Miller calls and says he has last minute plans! And I've "re-learned" to get used to that since the days of Mitch and Holly! I can promise you that this year will be the year that I enjoy being just the 3 of us when we can... and I will embrace each and every moment of the times when Mitch and Britney and Layton show up for dinner...and when Holly and Brad can come home...for dinner...

I thought I was going to make the recipe for our favorite restaurant "26" version of grilled fish reubens...

then...long story short...I'm having neck issues and Jim had to drive me around yesterday and we found ourselves at Western in Mtn. Brook Village...my favorite store these days!!! Not only did we run into Aunt Martha who gave us her wonderful hugs but also advice and words of wisdom on now to accept the fact that our baby girl is now pretty dad gum far away!!! It was wonderful to hear someone that truly understood how hard it is for your daughter to move away....and not tell me what a great adventure this is for them!!! I KNOW all of that!!! I just needed a hug!! And Aunt Martha did just that!!!!

I

all of that to say....Western's chicken tenders were on sale ....buy one...get one... so I did!!!!

and when we got home I had already made my mind up that I wasn't going to go spend even more money on snapper when we had all of these wonderful chicken tenders!!!

So here is my version of Grilled Chicken Reuben Sandwiches!!!!!

We are dying over them!!!!

this is my version for 3 people...hope you will try it!!

6 slices Rye Bread
many slices of Dill Havaarti cheese
6-8 chicken tenders

Marinade for chicken tenders:
2 T dry mustard
2 T olive oil
1 1/2 t salt or less
1 t pepper
1 t corriandar
mix well with spoon and make a paste...spread over chicken and let marinate for one hour. Grill over medium heat on grill. Can do this ahead.

Coleslaw
1/2 bag prepared coleslaw mix
1/4 C chili sauce
4 T mayo
1-2 t dill pickle relish
mix chili sauce and mayo together along with relish...add coleslaw to desired consistency. Refrigerate for  2-3 hours before using.

To assemble:
butter bottom sides of rye bread and place on george foreman if you have it...or go ahead and toast all of the rye bread before assembling in the oven. Place two grilled chicken tenders long ways on the bread...top with sliced dill havaarti cheese and put top piece of bread on. Grill on george forman or toast under broiler until bread is toasted and cheese is melted. Add a heaping helping of coleslaw on each sandwich....YUMMY!!!! Hope you like it as well as we did!!!!
*please excuse the "tacky" plates!! these are my only leftovers from the early days in our marriage! the plates that we microwave on....and yes....I am now seeing these same plates in antique shops!!! How Depressing!!! LOL!!!