So....."What's For Dinner?"

Have you ever been so tired of making the same thing over and over and over again for dinner? I know I sure have been!!!!

 I was so glad when Pattie gave me this incredible recipe for pork chops that I thought I really needed to share it with you! We also had some incredible sweet potatoes....and if you won't tell anyone I will tell you just why they are so very easy! Oh....and I can't forget the wonderful Cheese Biscuits...the "easy" version, that is!!! hope you enjoy!!!!!

Pattie's Semi Baked Pork Chops!

6 thick cut, bone in pork chops

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. seasoning salt

2 eggs, beaten

1/3 C flour

2 C Italian style bread crumbs

4 T olive oil

Gravy

1-2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1/2-1 C 2% milk

1/3- 2/3 C white wine

I say all the gravy measurements like this because my pork chops were pretty big and I actually did 7so that Miller could have 2nds for 2 nights! Use your own judgement on this one!!!

Preheat oven to 325. Rinse and pat chops dry...season with garlic powder and seasoning salt: dredge in flour, then in egg, coating well....then liberally dredge or coat in bread crumbs....heat in a good, hot skillet with olive oil until browned on both sides. Place in a greased 9 x 13 casserole dish and cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, heat soup, milk and wine with drippings in skillet, scraping to get all browned pieces! Pour over pork chops and re-cover...Bake another 30 minutes. Serve with rice if desired, or mashed potatoes. 

Very Easy Sweet Potatoes

1 bag Ore Ida Steam and Mash Sweet Potatoes!!! ( this is the easy way out!!)

steam according to package directions...

mash in a sauce pan with 3 T light butter, 1/3 C brown sugar, 1/4 C real maple syrup, 1/2 t pepper, 1/2 t sea salt and 1 T bourbon.....mash well and place in casserole dish and heat till warm.....So yummy!!!!

Cheese Biscuits

1 1/2 C bisquick!!! Yes....bisquick! I used to make Hattie's Cheese Biscuits from Food for Thought and these are healthier and easier!!!

Ok....you've got the bisquick in....add 1 C shredded 2% cheddar cheese, 1/4 to 1/2 t garlic salt, 1/8 t cayenne pepper and 1 C 2% milk. Mix well...adding bisquick or milk to desired consistency.  Sprinkle bisquick on your surface....shape into a 1/2- 3/4 " thick round...cut with very small biscuit cutter or just drop onto a slightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 or 10 minutes or until done.

These were so yummy with either the gravy from the pork chops or if you needed a taste of something sweet, blueberry preserves or honey are our favorites!!! 

By the way....we did have a green veggie!!! A very easy one and one that my sister, Andrea fixes all of the time! Since my green beans have quit producing this is what I did....

Green Beans.....

2 Large Cans green beans, drained and rinsed. Place in a large pan and cover with chicken broth...sometimes I do half chicken broth and half water and add 1 chicken bouillon cube. Add 2 T olive oil and 5 T Cavendar's Greek Seasoning. Cook to death!! ha ha!! Not really....just bring to a boil and let simmer for a while until you like their "doneness"! It's a personal thing I always say!!!!!

Hope you enjoy this and hope you will give these pork chops a try! I would
 love any new recipes you have to offer!!!!

Football and Fashionistas!

Definition of a "fashionista"

A term used to define a woman with a penchant for shopping and a natural flair for combining both current and vintage fashionable trends

Ok...I've been trying to think of "reasons" that I need to keep going to the Briarwood football games now that my son is only playing Basketball his senior year....never, not ONCE did any of those reasons ever make me think that I would want to see the current fall fashions...or that seeing my friends...my BEST friends in their "football attire" would make me realize that I need to get out more!!! I mean, seriously!!! First off...we drive up to the tailgate party and I'm still in my "work clothes" because I chose to wear them so I wouldn't have to change for the game!!! I do usually try to dress up a little when I'm working at my shop but today I was actually proud of myself for thinking ahead! ha ha!!

One of the first things I noticed was that Sandy and Lisa Anne were both wearing scarves...that made me hot just looking at them! I don't wear scarves even when it's snowing so I let that one slide! Then....as I walk into the stadium I see a glowing, glistening, boot studded Sharon walking down the sidewalk and I really did do a double take! I mean, come on!!!! I didn't even know all of that glorious glistening was in!! I've only bought one shirt that is faintly tinted with sparkle so far! If that wasn't enough..I find the Reigning Queen of Fashionista standing at the foot of the stairs to the stadium all decked out in a slick, shiny jacket....and BOOTS!!! everyone had on boots and/or scarves! I on the other hand was still in my khaki's, navy shirt and sandals because I had been sweating all day while organizing the back room of my shop! At my choice...I do understand that! But Jean Anne....she looked beautiful! As I began to explain my attire to her (simply being funny) she then said to me, " Oh, I was dressed just like you right before I came here!" I thought that was hilarious! And her beautiful attire was only wasted in my opinion because she was stuck working the concession stand all night! I can only imagine how hot I would've been if I had been wearing boots and working with hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, etc.... Oh well!!! She sure looked good!!! And so did beautiful Sharon!!

Ok...and back to precious Lisa Ann and Sandy! They are always decked out and are sort of my role modesl! Well...I guess all of my friends are because I love their styles so much and each one is so unique and I love that about them! As I sit here reflecting on our tailgating party tonight....I'm realizing  just how blessed I am to have these women as my friends! I'm truly thankful! Lisa Ann is so beautiful and her clothes seem so effortless...as do Sandy's! One of my biggest frustrations in life is having to decide what to wear on any given day....it takes up way too much of my time and if I would have just a few "go to" outfits I would save myself alot of time and alot of wasted energy!

I'm just so very glad to know that now I can go to homecoming next week...and still not have to worry about a child getting hurt while playing...I can also brush up on my fashion tips!!! I guess I better go start trying on fall outfits so I won't feel so "matronly" or "dowdy" at the next game!! LOL!!! The best part was...it's ok! I didn't really care because I know they love me anyway!  And when Sandy joined us in the stands later in the game....I noticed that she too had on a sparkly shirt!!! I guess glitter is the rage right now and by golly I'm headed out to get me some this weekend!!! I think I will give Brenda a heads up as well since she was the only one of us not at the game!
Not sure when I will brush up on my football tips....but I sure am glad I know what to wear now!!!

Finishing Strong.....Finishing Well....

For several weeks now I seem to have had "bloggers" block!! If there is such a thing! Not that I think I am a great writer or anything..I simply write for myself and I like that part of this blogging adventure! Which is why it has been a little bothersome- that absolutely nothing has really intrigued me or made me think...hmmmm,  "I should write about this!"

  Maybe it was the beginning of school and getting used to that routine...maybe it was the frustrations we are going through with our businesses right now...maybe, just maybe I'm weary from trying to figure out God's plan for our lives and for my children's lives as well. Of course we all know...including me...that I will NEVER figure out God's plan....I will never be "privvy" to exactly what God has in store for us for the rest of our lives so to speak... I know for certain that He does not look down from the clouds and say in an audible voice, " Carolyn, just 4 more weeks and they will be home....or Carolyn, next week you will sell everything in your shop....and so on and so on...." But....what He does say should certainly enable me to remain strong and firm and not "feel" that I have nothing to say or nothing to add. I'm learning to trust,

Layton, K-4
2011

obviously!

Just last week Holly was here for 6 days....6 glorious days... we had alot of fun...she did alot with Miller....she got to pick up Layton from school.....That was a total blessing from God...just having her here to do the normal things that she and I love was a special treat from God  that was a reminder to me that I AM "privvy" to His will for my life....no matter the circumstances and  all I have to do is Trust Him!! It's made me appreciate the time that Holly and I  do get to spend together and not take it for granted! Each day is a blessing! Each child is a blessing, each moment God gives us is such a blessing!!!

Which leads me to my main point...and why I wanted to write tonight!!
I guess maybe I HAVE been "feeling" again these past few days and nights and what I'm feeling has to do with my youngest child and his stage of life!

Proverbs 3:5-6

 ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.

But...when you have a high school senior...your life changes...especially when that child is the last one at home...your baby so to speak!!  He is a WONDERFUL child....He just has Senioritis!!!! ALREADY!!! and it's only September mind you!!! I see him slacking up some in school and justifying it!  HELP!!!!!  Any advice out there??? With my others I worried and fretted ALL  through their high school years!! This one is throwing me for a loop!! I've never really had to fret over him until now!!! Thankfully, he is quick to respond when called down....tries his best to have a joyful spirit and be very respectful... and that's all fine and dandy...What is really bothering me is his lack of desire...his lack of spunk if you will...I know I've already written about him not wanting to grow up...and I really do understand that! There are so many pressures in the world today! He just wants to hunt, fish, play basketball,  hang out....be a kid!!!  I LOVE THAT!!!!!  Thankfully...in recent weeks I've seen that change to a better attitude of self resolve....he wants to go to Auburn even if none of his best friends go....I'm so proud of him for that!! Not just because it's Auburn...but because it's his decision...We are getting letters galore from other schools....a packet came today for Scholarships from Auburn that I haven't even shown him yet!!! I'm still focused on the fact that he has Senioritis!!! He made a MISERABLY low test grade last week and I'm horrified!! Like...I don't even think I ever made that low of a test grade!!! And he seems to think it will all be ok!! Now granted...once I ranted and raved he finally revealed the fact that the teacher had already come to him after class to see what was wrong...I hope and pray he will find mercy on my son!!

Miller and Roy- age 4?

 As I "ranted" at Miller....it occured to me that truthfully, my only desire is for him to finish well...It's a relatively simple concept that I don't think many kids this age consider! Life is too easy...things are too readily available and always at the touch of a button or a remote! However...if we don't finish well in these simplest of life's tasks....what will we do when we face something larger? When his college professor doesn't give a care in the world about how he does on a test....when a relationship goes sour....when friends shun him or disappoint him??? What will he do then when he never really learned what it meant to finish well in all areas of his life?! I so want him to grasp that concept...I want him to want to finish well because of his relationship with Christ and nothing else....nothing else! Nothing that the world can offer him...just simply knowing that he did all he could do to finish well. Am I asking too much? I mean it...I sure didn't think like this when I was his age but I sure wish I had!

Tom and Miller just a 2 weeks ago

Roy, Miller, Tom and "babe"

Miller, Hannah and Will...Cousins! the first day of school!
2011

I began to look at my own life....do I desire that? Do I want to finish well in everything I do simply for the reason of glorifying our Lord? Or do I desire to finish well so that other's can see it? Do I really just want Miller to look good to others to make me look better? It's a constant battle I've faced with all of my children because it involves pride...and pride is a vicious stalker....I dealt with it with my older children and finally realized that what they did was not always a reflection on ME ....I want Miller, Mitch, Holly, Brad, Britney, Layton....and most of all Me and Jim to realize that finishing well simply means glorifying Him in all that we do....whether it's school, work, going from placement to placement with Chick Fil A....raising a child....running your own business....Whatever it is....in order to glorify Him in all areas of our lives...I truly believe He wants us to "Finish Well"......

Philippians 3:14

¹⁴I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

 ¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

I would be very remiss if I did not tell you that I know what I'm talking about and blogging about truly only matters to me....I think it is really my way of seeking God's will in how to deal with this part of growing up! This part of raising children...this part of  letting my "baby" leave the nest!~ no telling what you will be reading this time next year! I will end by posting the words to the most simple of songs....but the words are oh, so very true! and I really do cling to them and sing them to myself many a day and many a night! 

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
   What a glory He sheds on our way!
   While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
   And with all who will trust and obey.
   • Refrain:
     Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
     To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
   But His smile quickly drives it away;
   Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
   Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
   But our toil He doth richly repay;
   Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
   But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
   Until all on the altar we lay;
   For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
   Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
   Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
   What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
   Never fear, only trust and obey.

Happy Friday!

Chocolate filled Cheesecake!

Crust

1/2 C butter, softened

1/3 C sugar

1 C flour

1 T vanilla, divided

2/3 C chopped pecans

Filling

4 pkgs 8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 C sugar

4 eggs

1 12 oz package mini chocolate chips ( semi sweet)

whipped cream

Beat butter in mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar and flour. Stir in 1 t vanilla and chopped pecans.  

( I do my pecans pretty fine in a food processor )

Press in the bottom and partially up the sides of a greased 9" springform pan. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until slighty golden. Let Cool while making filling.

Beat cream cheese until fluffy and add 1 1/2 C sugar gradually. Beat well and add eggs one at a time. Beat just until yellow disappears. Do not over beat! Stir in vanilla. Pour 1/2 of the batter over the crust and begin sprinkling the chocolate chips....start at outer edge but do not go to edge of the crust all the way.... begin pouring remaining batter over the chips starting at outer edge and moving towards the center. This helps the chips to stay put and not fall over the sides!

Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until set. It will start to brown but don't worry! It's ok... Let cool for several hours. When ready to serve you can either reheat individual pieces or cover the entire cheesecake with foil and  warm on low in the oven. Serve with real whipped cream sweetened with 1/4 C powdered sugar. 

This is truly incredible!!!

This was the desert for our fun dinner the other night
and I can assure you it made for alot of happy girls!
As well as a very happy husband and 17 year old

son!! They are still enjoying the leftovers!!










Happy Friday and have a wonderful fall-like
weekend!!!

Memory Lane Up in the Headlights...it's got me reminiscing...

Sometimes...I just want to tune out the world and listen to my country songs!!! You must admit...they take you away...maybe not like Calgon... and I don't have mud tires like Jason...but they take you away...to "Memory Lane" or any "Dirt Road" you may be remembering that seemed to not have a care in the world!!

If only....

Real life isn't quite like that....and...since I don't want to be a "Debby Downer" I'm not going to re-hash it any more than is necessary!!! I learned along time ago that I could either drown in my own sorrows...or get up and go!! And I really did decide to get up and go!!!!
Which brings me to why I'm posting these Bible verses that are full of promises!!! Promises that are real...not just a quick fix like riding down Memory Lane with Jason Aldean...although I will admit...I love his singing...and he is real close to taking precedent over my all time fave....Kenny Chesney! But hey...I can't do that!!! Kenny holds too many fond memories for me and Jim!!!! And that my friends...is definitely worth a trip down "memory lane"!

But...back to this post...sometimes life just isn't what we expect...and I'm ok with that...most of the time!
I NEED to be ok with that ALL of the time!! When I think back on all of the trials that Jim and I have been through together...and you'd be surprised at how they add up!!... Quickly... I might add....God has NEVER left us or forsaken us! His word has ALWAYS proven to be true and I will continue to hold fast to these promises!!!

Songs will come and go...I will play them over and over while I'm getting ready in the mornings or getting ready for bed...I will dream of being a Country Superstar...but that will most definitely fade!!!! In fact...it never was!!! Bet you didn't even know that was my dream!!!

But God's promises and His word will forever remain the same....there is no change....it is what it is and that is a wonderful promise for me to cling to when I'm not sure where life is taking me!!! If it's a dirt road...great....if it's a rocky road....I need His promises more than ever...if it's an easy road...I will praise Him for it....and....If we are talking about the "Causeway Bridge Road....." that leads into New Orleans... then you've REALLY got my attention and I can finally get to my reason for looking up all of these wonderful verses!!!! You see....in case you didn't know...I've got grown kids as well as a senior in high school that I now "fret" over...which I shouldn't do...I know all of that...but I do...and you would too if you were their mom! ha ha!!  I'm so very thankful that I have a God that even cares about my fretfulness and my children's needs of encouragement in their marriages, as young parents and young businessmen....as husbands, wives, mothers, friends... not to mention an AP Calculus student and just keeping up with friends and whats going on....Basketball practice, etc...Life is really hard sometimes...I remember!!! So I will always cling to these verses as my lifeline...as my very present help in times of trouble....I certainly can't depend on myself or anyone else...it's just not possible!!
Hey... ( as Layton says before anything she tells you!!) Hey...Nonnie....maybe the Causeway Bridge has a cause...maybe the road that leads to Tamworth Drive has a cause...maybe....just maybe...the road that takes Miller to Auburn will have a cause!!! What if we don't know the "cause" until we get to Heaven??? What if I have to answer people's questions about God's promises with "just cause!" like my kids used to do to me!!! That's Ok....Cause.....God promises us that His word will remain true.....and when I sometimes ask Him why He loves me....even ME....He whispers.... ( Hey, Nonnie ) just cause......and Layton and I both smile.....

2nd Timothy 2:13
If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,  though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 

• 

  • Isaiah 41:10

    So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

  • Psalm 16:8

    I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

  • Psalm 55:22

    Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

  • 1 Peter 5:7

    Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

  • Isaiah 26:3

    You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Psalm 120:1

    

    I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    He answered my prayers 28 years ago with a husband that was Way beyond my feeble expectations...the family  He gave us is Way beyond our wildest dreams!!....He has shown us through various trials and many joyous moments as well that He is Lord...no matter what!!!! JUST CAUSE!!!!!!!!! just cause He loved us THAT much!!!!
    
    
    
    
    

    

    
    

The BEST Brunswick Stew!!

They say the secret is in the sauce alot of times....this time I do believe it's true!!!! See for yourself!!!!

this is truly the "secret" to this stew!

So...we've been at the beach for Labor Day enduring Tropical Storm Lee..thankfully we had a great time in spite of the weather! 

However!! Driving home through horrible thunderstorms and tornado warnings in every county we entered made it very hard for me to do my usual weekly planning and make out a grocery list to kill the time while driving!

 For some reason...unbeknownst to me... I had a hankering for Brunswick Stew!! How often does that happen you ask?? NEVER!!! I think it was the fact that it was Labor Day and I was thinking of the traditional bar-b-que we would be having had we stayed in town....which lead my brain to decide to make my dear friend Pattie's recipe for this most incredible version of Brunswick Stew I've ever tasted!!!

just the beginning of the simmering stage....

I do hope you will try it!!! It sure made dinner easy tonight since I began the process last night...came home and warmed it up!!! and it warmed US up on this "chilly" September night!!! How glorious to feel the chill in the air I might add!!!

and a little more simmering.....

 You can change it up if you feel so lead...I on the other hand did NOT for the first time ever...I usually think I know best and will decide to venture off on any given recipe...I did not this time and I was oh so glad!!! So were Jim, Miller and Holden, who ate with us as well!!!

and then....finally....it's done!!!

here is the recipe....

Make the Sauce:


1/4 C melted butter
1 3/4 C ketchup
1/4 C yellow mustard
1/4 C white vinegar

blend all together in a medium saucepan....and add:

1/2 T chopped garlic
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper ( I used cayenne)
1/2 tsp. liquid smoke
1 tsp.  worchesterchire sauce
1 tsp. crystal hot sauce
1/2 T lemon juice
1/4 C DARK brown sugar
mix well....simmer for 10 minutes...do NOT boil!!!
set aside....

Stew:
1 stick melted butter
1 C chopped onion
3-4 C chopped potatoes, diced small
1 32 oz. box chicken broth
1 entire rotisserie chicken, meat pulled off...white and dark
8-10 oz. pulled pork....I used Full Moon Bar-b-que but any fabulous bar-b-que place would do!!!!

* melt butter...saute onion for a few minutes....add chopped potatoes and chicken broth and bring to a rolling boil...boil for about 8-10 minutes on medium heat. Add the meat and continue to cook while adding the rest of the ingredients...

2- 14 1/2 oz cans stewed tomatoes with juice ( chopped)
All of the above sauce that you've already made
1- 16 oz can baby lima beans, drained
1- 14 1/2 oz. can creamed corn
 1 1/2 C frozen white corn kernals
1/4 liquid smoke

Simmer for about 2 hours.....let sit for about 8 hours or overnight to really make all of the flavors blend!!!
So, so good!!! Serve with my grandmothers incredible corn muffins or grilled cheese sandwich or whatever you prefer!!!!

I DO believe even Holly would love this!!! The older she gets she is not so finicky!!! Back in the day...she wouldn't have touched it! I think the key is fresh ingredients, the rotisserie chicken and really good bar-b-que!!! And the SAUCE!!!! I'm telling you.....THAT'S the secret!!!! keep it to yourself if you want to....but if I were you....I'd have the whole neighborhood over!!! ( or maybe just your son's friends like I did!!! ) No matter....I hope you love it like we did!!!
wonder if I should save some for Holly while she stays with us ALLLLLL of next week while sweet Brad is at a seminar thingy??? he he!!! I wouldn't do that to her now...but I promise she would like it in her "old" age!!!  guess what?!?...I think I'm making Chicken Devan and Poppy Seed chicken next week if you want to stop by!!! A little girl that used to live here sure did love those!! in fact...I bet she would tell you they were her faves!!!!! on top of that..I learned my precious Layton loves Poppy Seed Chicken as well!! I guess the apple truly doesn't fall far from the tree after all!!! I think I might even make Holly sleep in sponge curlers again just for old times sake!!! not sure I could get Layton to do that  though!!! we shall see....we shall see!!!!