Happy birthday to the most amazing woman!! I love you so much momma, thanks for everything you do! instagr.am/p/VEwmeFMLW1/
— Hanna Joslin (@hannajoslin) January 29, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
House Hunters #3
After looking at two houses that were obviously not "me", we drove to house number three. It was pretty much just like I saw it online. Nice front yard. Minimal landscaping (read: easy to maintain). From the outside, it all seemed very symmetrical (which I like); long windows on either side of the front door that allow great natural light to come in.
When I walked in, it smelled fine (which is a big deal--even though it's been empty a little while, it didn't smell musty at all). I liked the tile in the entry way (it reminded me of the tile I had in a former house, so it was instantly "home"y to me).
The house is laid out in a big walk around square type pattern. If you don't understand that, it's OK. I do. Turning to the right from the entry, then left to start the second side of the "square", there's a room on the right that could be a bedroom, perhaps, but there is no closet, so it'd be perfect for my office. That room also has carpet almost identical to a carpet I've used before. And there's another full-length window. I'm loving the windows in this house!
Next to the office is the downstairs (master) bath. Countertops. cabinets and paint are all very reminiscent of a former house of mine. Nice size. No linen closet, but I don't have one now, either! But, it's updated and I like it.
Master bedroom is average size with an average size closet with another great window. Very simple.
From the master, you make your way around to square side #3 which brings us to the eat-in kitchen. The kitchen has been updated with new stainless appliances, white cabinets and nice neutral countertops. I wish there was a little more drawer space, but there are lots more cabinets and countertops than what I have now and I could make it work. I wish there was a window in front of my kitchen sink, but, again--compromise. There's a good sized area to put my table and chairs, and another wall area I can put a cabinet or shelf for all my stoneware. There's a French door that goes out onto the carport (so I can bring in groceries without getting rained on).
The fourth side of the "square" is the living room. Thirty feet long, 16 feet wide. Hardwoods, fireplace, two full-length windows. LOVE it!
Upstairs are two more bedrooms (one would be a guest bedroom, and the other would be a... I don't want to say "junk" room, but--that's where I'd keep arts/crafts, scrapbooking, photo stuff. The bathroom upstairs is nearly the same as the bath downstairs.
There's a nice size backyard with fence along the back and a great little patio area.
I am IN LOVE with this house. I WANT THIS HOUSE! So badly, in fact, that I've become rather obsessed... I find myself driving by at odd times, just to see what it looks like, or that's it still there and more importantly, that it's still for sale.
I have begun the pre-approval process to make an offer on the house, but it's going to take time. I need to eliminate quite a bit of my credit card debt (duh!). Big Joz has to remove me from the mortgage and HELOC that we formerly shared. And unfortunately, it's not as easy as just saying "take her name off". So, please say a prayer and send lots of good vibes. This house feels like home to me and I want out of my tiny little apartment so badly! I just need to get all my ducks in a row and pray that Big Joz does too.
So, as you can probably figure out, I "chose" House #3... actually, I think it has chosen me!
Moving forward from there,
When I walked in, it smelled fine (which is a big deal--even though it's been empty a little while, it didn't smell musty at all). I liked the tile in the entry way (it reminded me of the tile I had in a former house, so it was instantly "home"y to me).
The house is laid out in a big walk around square type pattern. If you don't understand that, it's OK. I do. Turning to the right from the entry, then left to start the second side of the "square", there's a room on the right that could be a bedroom, perhaps, but there is no closet, so it'd be perfect for my office. That room also has carpet almost identical to a carpet I've used before. And there's another full-length window. I'm loving the windows in this house!
Next to the office is the downstairs (master) bath. Countertops. cabinets and paint are all very reminiscent of a former house of mine. Nice size. No linen closet, but I don't have one now, either! But, it's updated and I like it.
Master bedroom is average size with an average size closet with another great window. Very simple.
From the master, you make your way around to square side #3 which brings us to the eat-in kitchen. The kitchen has been updated with new stainless appliances, white cabinets and nice neutral countertops. I wish there was a little more drawer space, but there are lots more cabinets and countertops than what I have now and I could make it work. I wish there was a window in front of my kitchen sink, but, again--compromise. There's a good sized area to put my table and chairs, and another wall area I can put a cabinet or shelf for all my stoneware. There's a French door that goes out onto the carport (so I can bring in groceries without getting rained on).
The fourth side of the "square" is the living room. Thirty feet long, 16 feet wide. Hardwoods, fireplace, two full-length windows. LOVE it!
Upstairs are two more bedrooms (one would be a guest bedroom, and the other would be a... I don't want to say "junk" room, but--that's where I'd keep arts/crafts, scrapbooking, photo stuff. The bathroom upstairs is nearly the same as the bath downstairs.
There's a nice size backyard with fence along the back and a great little patio area.
I am IN LOVE with this house. I WANT THIS HOUSE! So badly, in fact, that I've become rather obsessed... I find myself driving by at odd times, just to see what it looks like, or that's it still there and more importantly, that it's still for sale.
I have begun the pre-approval process to make an offer on the house, but it's going to take time. I need to eliminate quite a bit of my credit card debt (duh!). Big Joz has to remove me from the mortgage and HELOC that we formerly shared. And unfortunately, it's not as easy as just saying "take her name off". So, please say a prayer and send lots of good vibes. This house feels like home to me and I want out of my tiny little apartment so badly! I just need to get all my ducks in a row and pray that Big Joz does too.
So, as you can probably figure out, I "chose" House #3... actually, I think it has chosen me!
Moving forward from there,
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
House Hunters #2
After we left House #1 with the "vintage" kitchen, great storage and lots of potential, we headed downtown to House #2, a great little Victorian, built around 1900. Now, I've never pictured myself in a house that old, but let me tell you--the curb appeal had me hooked!
When we walked in, I loved the wall colors, the custom window coverings. They were just gorgeous! Very rich! Beautiful hardwoods. I loved the house! Then I began to realize that my furniture wouldn't look right AT ALL in the house. Yes, I want to acquire new furniture sometime in the future, but I'm not sure I'm an "antique" person. I've begun to appreciate them, living here with all the antebellum homes and such and some pieces really fascinate me. But I'm not sure it's me. The kitchen, while more updated than the previous home, still needed pretty much an entire redo to make it to my standards. Outside, there was a great yard with a wonderful deck. Maybe I could do this after all. Bedrooms and bathrooms were nice. The house felt "sturdy", well-built, especially to be as old as it is. There's no garage or carport and I'd really like to have a place to park my car! I started weighing the pros and cons. However, once I found out the price, I knew, AGAIN, it was over my budget (although I don't even really know what a practical number for my "budget" is... even as I type this!).
We started to leave and the realtor told me he thought he had a pretty good sense of what I was looking for and said that he had another house in mind that he thought might appeal to me. He told me the street name and I instantly recognized it as the location of a house I had seen online and really liked. What are the chances it was the house I had been wanting to see all along? Well, the realtor was right... he had figured out what I wanted! So, off we went to see House #3, leaving behind the Victorian with the gorgeous draperies and the great curb appeal.
When we walked in, I loved the wall colors, the custom window coverings. They were just gorgeous! Very rich! Beautiful hardwoods. I loved the house! Then I began to realize that my furniture wouldn't look right AT ALL in the house. Yes, I want to acquire new furniture sometime in the future, but I'm not sure I'm an "antique" person. I've begun to appreciate them, living here with all the antebellum homes and such and some pieces really fascinate me. But I'm not sure it's me. The kitchen, while more updated than the previous home, still needed pretty much an entire redo to make it to my standards. Outside, there was a great yard with a wonderful deck. Maybe I could do this after all. Bedrooms and bathrooms were nice. The house felt "sturdy", well-built, especially to be as old as it is. There's no garage or carport and I'd really like to have a place to park my car! I started weighing the pros and cons. However, once I found out the price, I knew, AGAIN, it was over my budget (although I don't even really know what a practical number for my "budget" is... even as I type this!).
We started to leave and the realtor told me he thought he had a pretty good sense of what I was looking for and said that he had another house in mind that he thought might appeal to me. He told me the street name and I instantly recognized it as the location of a house I had seen online and really liked. What are the chances it was the house I had been wanting to see all along? Well, the realtor was right... he had figured out what I wanted! So, off we went to see House #3, leaving behind the Victorian with the gorgeous draperies and the great curb appeal.
House Hunters #1
Do you ever watch that show on HGTV? I love it. And I felt like I was in an episode recently. There's a house that's been for sale for a while that I drive by quite often. I noticed "Must See Inside" and "Great Buy" on the sign about three weeks ago. On a whim, I called the realtor's number. He didn't answer, but he did call me back... and boy did he talk and carry on (while I was up in the Krogers trying to buy my groceries!). We ended the conversation with an appointment for two days later.
Rosario went with me (more on her later) and since Bud and his friend were at my office when the appointment time came, I asked them to come along as well. The location wasn't super great, but it wasn't bad either. There's an apartment complext close by that I was a little concerned about, but there was also a park, so--the first trade-off. I entered the front door and was welcomed by a large living room with GREAT hardwood floors, a fire place with a couple of built-ins. The dining room was also really nice, with the same hardwoods.
The kitchen... well, it was a kitchen--and the appliances stayed with the house! It had the orginal 1957 vent hood. If the stove wasn't original, it was definitely true to the time period... as were the white metal cabinets. Now, these things in and of themselves aren't necessarily turn offs, mind you. The huge white cast iron sink was actually pretty cool, but needed resurfacing; it had a few large rust spots. This kitchen was just all wrong for me. A stackable washer/dryer? No thank you. I'm living with one of those jewels right now.
The house was choppy, but boy did it have storage!! LOTS and LOTS of storage! The space, the yard and the storage were definitely the bright spots in the house. And the hardwoods. The original bedrooms had the original glass door knobs that were really cool, too.
The room at the back of the house was an addition, probably in the 70s. Yukky wood paneling, a newer tile floor (that sweat so bad--the floor was very slippery and dangerous). BUT... it had great storage also. The previous owners had used it as a family room, but it could be considered a bedroom because of the closets. However, to get to it, you had to go through another bedroom. That was weird.
There was a nice little space to the side of the dining room that I would have used for my office. It had a door leading to the patio area. Previous owners had used it for a nursery since the master bath and bed were next to it.
Master--another addition, but hard to tell when. Maybe the 80s? BLACK tub, shower and toilet. In my opinion? Weird. I think the thought must have been that it looked elegant, but that just doesn't work for me. I'm too practical. Soap scum and water spots would show ALL the time.
Bedroom was two steps down and again, a tile floor. The floor looked like a bathroom. Nice size room, but it just felt weird. Closet was nice though.
The house actually has two front doors. The first one you come to from the driveway is simply an entryway room. Really non-functioning for anything. The garage door has been sealed shut and the room turned into another bedroom (probably in the 70s in my guess). Yuk. But--great storage!
The front yard was nice; the back yard was really big and fenced. Storage shed, patio... lots of space for a dog to run. And, there was an outbuilding that had AWESOME potential... if it wasn't caving in.
All in all, I knew this house was first, out of my price range. Second, even if the price was $100,000 less, there's still WAY too much work for me to deal with. Big Joz and I remodeled an entire house in 2003, but this would have been too much for us to tackle. Given that he's not on my "team" anymore, a huge remodel just doesn't sound appealing... I'm not a huge DIYer myself.
So, I thanked the realtor for allowing me to see it. He understood that it wasn't for me, but... he had another one he'd like to show me. So, off we headed downtown.
Rosario went with me (more on her later) and since Bud and his friend were at my office when the appointment time came, I asked them to come along as well. The location wasn't super great, but it wasn't bad either. There's an apartment complext close by that I was a little concerned about, but there was also a park, so--the first trade-off. I entered the front door and was welcomed by a large living room with GREAT hardwood floors, a fire place with a couple of built-ins. The dining room was also really nice, with the same hardwoods.
The kitchen... well, it was a kitchen--and the appliances stayed with the house! It had the orginal 1957 vent hood. If the stove wasn't original, it was definitely true to the time period... as were the white metal cabinets. Now, these things in and of themselves aren't necessarily turn offs, mind you. The huge white cast iron sink was actually pretty cool, but needed resurfacing; it had a few large rust spots. This kitchen was just all wrong for me. A stackable washer/dryer? No thank you. I'm living with one of those jewels right now.
The house was choppy, but boy did it have storage!! LOTS and LOTS of storage! The space, the yard and the storage were definitely the bright spots in the house. And the hardwoods. The original bedrooms had the original glass door knobs that were really cool, too.
The room at the back of the house was an addition, probably in the 70s. Yukky wood paneling, a newer tile floor (that sweat so bad--the floor was very slippery and dangerous). BUT... it had great storage also. The previous owners had used it as a family room, but it could be considered a bedroom because of the closets. However, to get to it, you had to go through another bedroom. That was weird.
There was a nice little space to the side of the dining room that I would have used for my office. It had a door leading to the patio area. Previous owners had used it for a nursery since the master bath and bed were next to it.
Master--another addition, but hard to tell when. Maybe the 80s? BLACK tub, shower and toilet. In my opinion? Weird. I think the thought must have been that it looked elegant, but that just doesn't work for me. I'm too practical. Soap scum and water spots would show ALL the time.
Bedroom was two steps down and again, a tile floor. The floor looked like a bathroom. Nice size room, but it just felt weird. Closet was nice though.
The house actually has two front doors. The first one you come to from the driveway is simply an entryway room. Really non-functioning for anything. The garage door has been sealed shut and the room turned into another bedroom (probably in the 70s in my guess). Yuk. But--great storage!
The front yard was nice; the back yard was really big and fenced. Storage shed, patio... lots of space for a dog to run. And, there was an outbuilding that had AWESOME potential... if it wasn't caving in.
All in all, I knew this house was first, out of my price range. Second, even if the price was $100,000 less, there's still WAY too much work for me to deal with. Big Joz and I remodeled an entire house in 2003, but this would have been too much for us to tackle. Given that he's not on my "team" anymore, a huge remodel just doesn't sound appealing... I'm not a huge DIYer myself.
So, I thanked the realtor for allowing me to see it. He understood that it wasn't for me, but... he had another one he'd like to show me. So, off we headed downtown.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
I want to hear from YOU!
Usually whenever I think about updating this blog, I'm not near a computer. Or I don't have time to post something really clever... or thoughtful... or thought provoking. I have a lot to say... whether you want to hear it or know it or not. BUT... does anyone really care? Does anyone actually read this? I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a comment, send me an email or post to my Facebook. Tell me what you'd like for me to share and/or discuss here.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Ashes, Ashes...
No, we aren't falling down. Today is Ash Wednesday. The beginning of Lent. Lent is a period of 40 days that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. It is a time of prayer and preparation for Christians. During this season, many believers choose to either fast or give up some luxury as a form of penitence.
Instead of "giving up" something for Lent and being in prayer during that time, I'm going to "add to"... I've decided to do random acts of kindness each day and use this opportunity to grow closer to God.
I know these acts could simply be holding the door open for someone or letting someone pull out in front of me in traffic. Those are easy. Those are also things I try to do in my daily life. I want to do something more. I want to have to make a concerted effort and do something more substantial.
Today, I've shared containers of homemade lasagna with four older members of our congregation. You may be thinking "Leftover? That's no so great." Well, it's not fresh out of the oven, no. But... these four people aren't going to have to worry about cooking a meal tonight. AND... the lasagna was really good!!
I want to think outside the box, outside my comfort zone. I have some ideas in mind... but I'm looking for others also.
Instead of "giving up" something for Lent and being in prayer during that time, I'm going to "add to"... I've decided to do random acts of kindness each day and use this opportunity to grow closer to God.
I know these acts could simply be holding the door open for someone or letting someone pull out in front of me in traffic. Those are easy. Those are also things I try to do in my daily life. I want to do something more. I want to have to make a concerted effort and do something more substantial.
Today, I've shared containers of homemade lasagna with four older members of our congregation. You may be thinking "Leftover? That's no so great." Well, it's not fresh out of the oven, no. But... these four people aren't going to have to worry about cooking a meal tonight. AND... the lasagna was really good!!
I want to think outside the box, outside my comfort zone. I have some ideas in mind... but I'm looking for others also.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Things I Love
Aside from the obvious "My Children"... some things I love:
* The color turquoise
* Happy surprise handwritten notes in my mailbox
* A really tender beef roast
* Massages
* Big closets
* My Mimi's mashed potatoes
* Eating at a Japanese Hibachi grill
* Coconut Rum
* Pedicures
* The smell of rain
* Naps
* My black yoga pants from Lady Foot Locker
* The Pioneer Woman
* A really full toothbrush
* Cooking for those I love
* Hearing a baby's giggle
* Reminiscing
* Road trips
* Bacon
* The smell of coffee brewing
* Wintergreen Lifesavers that have turned soft
* New friends that feel like old friends
* A bargain
* Hugs
* The smell of men's cologne
* Breakfast at Cracker Barrel
* "Found" money
* Knowing all my bills are current
* My black Frye boots
* Christmas shopping trips with Kim-Kim, my Asian lover
* Savannah, Charleston and Beaufort
* Being a woman
* Personalized and monogrammed stuff
* The color turquoise
* Happy surprise handwritten notes in my mailbox
* A really tender beef roast
* Massages
* Big closets
* My Mimi's mashed potatoes
* Eating at a Japanese Hibachi grill
* Coconut Rum
* Pedicures
* The smell of rain
* Naps
* My black yoga pants from Lady Foot Locker
* The Pioneer Woman
* A really full toothbrush
* Cooking for those I love
* Hearing a baby's giggle
* Reminiscing
* Road trips
* Bacon
* The smell of coffee brewing
* Wintergreen Lifesavers that have turned soft
* New friends that feel like old friends
* A bargain
* Hugs
* The smell of men's cologne
* Breakfast at Cracker Barrel
* "Found" money
* Knowing all my bills are current
* My black Frye boots
* Christmas shopping trips with Kim-Kim, my Asian lover
* Savannah, Charleston and Beaufort
* Being a woman
* Personalized and monogrammed stuff
Friday, February 10, 2012
Best Roast Ever. Period.
I had a woman inbox me on Facebook this week about placing an order for Pampered Chef. She came to my office to pay me for her order (Food Chopper and Deep Covered Baker). Then she told me about the way she makes roast in the Baker and swears it's the best roast ever. I love a good roast. But for the life of me, I've never been able to make what I consider to be a really good one. What makes a really good roast? Tender, salty and beefy. Period. Good beef doesn't need much "extra" flavor. I think my main problem over the years has been trying to rush it and get the roast cooked rather quickly because I haven't planned ahead too well.
I earned a Deep Covered Baker for submitting at least $1,250 in my first 30 days of business. As luck would have it, I received my Baker this week, so I planned ahead and decided to make the roast for supper tonight. OH. MY. GOSH. It really IS the best roast ever.
Chuck Roast
1 pkg. dry au jus mix
Place roast in Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker. Sprinkle dry mix over roast. Place lid on baker. Bake 6-8 hours at 225°.
So tender, juicy and flavorful! Thank you Pam Galloway... for the order and the recipe!
I earned a Deep Covered Baker for submitting at least $1,250 in my first 30 days of business. As luck would have it, I received my Baker this week, so I planned ahead and decided to make the roast for supper tonight. OH. MY. GOSH. It really IS the best roast ever.
Chuck Roast
1 pkg. dry au jus mix
Place roast in Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker. Sprinkle dry mix over roast. Place lid on baker. Bake 6-8 hours at 225°.
So tender, juicy and flavorful! Thank you Pam Galloway... for the order and the recipe!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sopapilla Cheesecake
Night before last, I wanted something sweet after dinner. Not just a little sweet, but super ooey gooey decadent deliciousness. I was thinking chocolate. Nothing specific was coming to mind, so the cookbook perusing began. I found the recipe below. I had never heard of it before, which is unusual for me. It's not chocolate, but boy did it hit the spot! Last night, a friend came over and I offered her some dessert. Because of some severe food allergies she has, she asked what was in it. I told her the ingredients and she replied that sure she'd love some. Then she asked me if it was "Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars". I laughed and told her it was and she told me she LOVED it! She suggested warming it a bit and drizzling with honey before serving. Oh yeah... that made it even better!
Sopapilla Cheesecake
2 cans crescent rolls
2 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
½ c. cinnamon-sugar
1 stick melted butter
Spread 1 can crescent rolls into 9x13 baking dish. Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread creamed mixture over crust. Top with 2nd can of crescent rolls. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes. Let cool. Refrigerate overnight. Cut into squares or bars.
May also reheat in microwave and drizzle with honey before serving.
Sopapilla Cheesecake
2 cans crescent rolls
2 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
½ c. cinnamon-sugar
1 stick melted butter
Spread 1 can crescent rolls into 9x13 baking dish. Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread creamed mixture over crust. Top with 2nd can of crescent rolls. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes. Let cool. Refrigerate overnight. Cut into squares or bars.
May also reheat in microwave and drizzle with honey before serving.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
I'm 42... Elvis died at 42.
I do my best thinking in the shower. This morning I was thinking about today being my Grandpa's birthday. And then I thought about him being gone and what I remember about him. Then... it dawned on me--Elvis was 42 when he died; the same age I am now! He was an icon; a legend! Look at all he accomplished in his lifetime, the name he made for himself. "What name have I made for myself?", I wondered.
How will I be remembered? Simply, I want to be remembered as a GOOD person.
* a GOOD daughter who, more often than not, doesn't have the patience for her mother but delights in sharing crazy (but true) stories about her.
* a GOOD daughter who lovingly and patiently cared for her father when he was so ill--a man she had never been close to growing up, but longed for his attention.
* a GOOD granddaughter who feels that she owes so much to the two people she could always count on for unconditional love... she'll never be able to show them the love she was always given.
* a GOOD mother who, despite trying her best, mostly feels like a failure.
* a GOOD wife, whose husband no longer wants to be married to her.
Who am I? What will my legacy truly be? Will I be remembered as a selfish, spoiled bitch... really? I've tried to be a GOOD person; I really have. But so often, I feel as if I've fallen short too many times.
How will I be remembered? Simply, I want to be remembered as a GOOD person.
* a GOOD daughter who, more often than not, doesn't have the patience for her mother but delights in sharing crazy (but true) stories about her.
* a GOOD daughter who lovingly and patiently cared for her father when he was so ill--a man she had never been close to growing up, but longed for his attention.
* a GOOD granddaughter who feels that she owes so much to the two people she could always count on for unconditional love... she'll never be able to show them the love she was always given.
* a GOOD mother who, despite trying her best, mostly feels like a failure.
* a GOOD wife, whose husband no longer wants to be married to her.
Who am I? What will my legacy truly be? Will I be remembered as a selfish, spoiled bitch... really? I've tried to be a GOOD person; I really have. But so often, I feel as if I've fallen short too many times.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
And so, the waiting begins...
How can it be so hard to sign one's name? I did that yesterday. Big Joz did too. The final paperwork for our divorce has now been filed. Mississippi has a mandatory 60-day waiting period... then our 21 1/2 marriage will end.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Fudge Pie
One of my goals this year is to try a new recipe every week and blog about it. So, here is week #1.
My mother and Mimi have made this pie ever since I can remember... and I've always loved it! Mimi made one of these for both Thanksgiving and Christmas and I failed to get a piece both times! Since I've been craving it, I decided to try and make one, even though I've tried before. I failed before; it separated. I asked Mimi what I did wrong and she said I overbeat it.
Take 2, last night:
Fudge Pie
1 unbaked 9” pie shell
1 stick butter
2 sq. unsweetened chocolate
4 eggs
1 ½ c. sugar
3 T light corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. salt
In saucepan, melt butter and chocolate together over very low heat. With rotary beater, beat in rest of the ingredients until just blended. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake in 350° oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between center and edges comes out clean. Do not overbake. Pie should shake a little in center like custard so it will not be too stiff when cool. Cool pie thoroughly before cutting.
Results: I can't get this "beating/blending" down pat; it separated again. The top should have a very smooth, glass-like look to it. Mine didn't. It looked a little bumpy. After it cooled completely, I cut into it. Again, separation occured. Dang. So what I ended up with was a pecan pie filling goo at the bottom with the chocolate on top.
What did I do wrong? I mixed all the other ingredients together in a glass batter bowl with a whisk while the chocolate and butter were melting. I was careful to just blend. Then, when the melted chocolate mixture was ready, I poured it into the other and carefully whisked until just mixed.
I called Mimi this morning. She said I overbeat it. What?? I was very careful (I thought). Also, I shouldn't mix or stir ANYTHING until it's all in the saucepan together. So... I'll try again. But, for the record, it did taste good, it just looked odd.
My mother and Mimi have made this pie ever since I can remember... and I've always loved it! Mimi made one of these for both Thanksgiving and Christmas and I failed to get a piece both times! Since I've been craving it, I decided to try and make one, even though I've tried before. I failed before; it separated. I asked Mimi what I did wrong and she said I overbeat it.
Take 2, last night:
Fudge Pie
1 unbaked 9” pie shell
1 stick butter
2 sq. unsweetened chocolate
4 eggs
1 ½ c. sugar
3 T light corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. salt
In saucepan, melt butter and chocolate together over very low heat. With rotary beater, beat in rest of the ingredients until just blended. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake in 350° oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between center and edges comes out clean. Do not overbake. Pie should shake a little in center like custard so it will not be too stiff when cool. Cool pie thoroughly before cutting.
Results: I can't get this "beating/blending" down pat; it separated again. The top should have a very smooth, glass-like look to it. Mine didn't. It looked a little bumpy. After it cooled completely, I cut into it. Again, separation occured. Dang. So what I ended up with was a pecan pie filling goo at the bottom with the chocolate on top.
What did I do wrong? I mixed all the other ingredients together in a glass batter bowl with a whisk while the chocolate and butter were melting. I was careful to just blend. Then, when the melted chocolate mixture was ready, I poured it into the other and carefully whisked until just mixed.
I called Mimi this morning. She said I overbeat it. What?? I was very careful (I thought). Also, I shouldn't mix or stir ANYTHING until it's all in the saucepan together. So... I'll try again. But, for the record, it did taste good, it just looked odd.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Overwhelmed
Something happened today that left me nearly speechless. No small feat.
I'm busting my Sin City cherry in a couple of months. That's right, I'm going to Vegas! It's a place I've always wanted to go to, just to say I've been... once. Anytime Big Joz and I have been in a casino (which number maybe 9 at the most), we've each been alloted a certain amount of money (typically $20 each) to "blow". The very first time we ever went to a casino, Big Joz blew $100 in the first... oh... 27 seconds. Then he wanted to get money out of the ATM machine. Then he wanted to get an advance on his credit card. Then he wanted to get an advance on MY credit card. Then he wanted to sell our first-born child. Big Joz is now only ever allowed to walk in a casino with a $20 bill... no plastic of any sort!!
All that to say... a gambler, I'm not. But a sightseer and adventurer, I am!!
So, I'll be making the maiden voyage to Vegas for a work trip. I'm doing some continuing education for my job and will be earning credits toward certification. In order to earn the money for my trip, members of the church where I work are being asked (voluntarily) to sponsor different parts of the trip, such as different classes, nights of lodging, so many miles of airfare, etc. In addition, Big Joz and I will be catering a "Sunday lunch" in a couple of weeks with all proceeds going to pay for trip expenses.
The first donations came in Sunday and I was pleasantly surprised. I've always been told what a generous congregation this was and after my love gift at Christmas, I learned first hand. Anyway, a few other people have asked, inquired and discussed with me how they'd like to help me, which has excited me to no end. I will celebrate my first anniversary with this church tomorrow and I absolutely LOVE my job. Ask anyone who knows me... they can attest to it!
I should mention that I'm a church secretary... at a denomation that's different than where I'm a member (and where I worked previously). When I worked at my previous church job, I asked if the church would pay my annual dues to my professional assocation (which were $50 annually). I was quickly told no, that there were no funds available. Period. I was very disappointed since I knew that $50 in that particular church's budget wouldn't even cause the water to stir around.
In order to maintain my certification with Church A, I'm required to attend a national conference every 4 years. Church B funded my trip to Church A's national conference this spring... and were supportive. I couldn't ask Church B to pay for a second national conference in one year. Besides... this trip will be more costly since I'll have to purchase an airline ticket.
I'm really digressing. Sorry. It's the Coco Beach.
Today, I received a donation to the "Send Mama Joz to Sin City" fund. A person I didn't know at all before I started work there but have gotten to know a little and am really fond of, had mailed a check for $500. I was absolutely dumbfounded when I opened the envelope. I checked to make sure that the words "five hundred" were actually written out; that the person hadn't meant $5 or $50... "five hundred" was actually written out. Wow! I can't express how humbled I felt. Someone I didn't know a year ago was investing $500 (that's a LOT of money!) in me... in my education.
I am SOO SOO grateful. Not only for this wonderful gift, but for the opportunity to work for a group of people who believe in me and what I do. This past year has been the best year of my work career. I feel loved, appreciated, supported. That's priceless. I absolutely LOVE my job and the people I work for! I am overwhelmed by their love and generosity!
I'm busting my Sin City cherry in a couple of months. That's right, I'm going to Vegas! It's a place I've always wanted to go to, just to say I've been... once. Anytime Big Joz and I have been in a casino (which number maybe 9 at the most), we've each been alloted a certain amount of money (typically $20 each) to "blow". The very first time we ever went to a casino, Big Joz blew $100 in the first... oh... 27 seconds. Then he wanted to get money out of the ATM machine. Then he wanted to get an advance on his credit card. Then he wanted to get an advance on MY credit card. Then he wanted to sell our first-born child. Big Joz is now only ever allowed to walk in a casino with a $20 bill... no plastic of any sort!!
All that to say... a gambler, I'm not. But a sightseer and adventurer, I am!!
So, I'll be making the maiden voyage to Vegas for a work trip. I'm doing some continuing education for my job and will be earning credits toward certification. In order to earn the money for my trip, members of the church where I work are being asked (voluntarily) to sponsor different parts of the trip, such as different classes, nights of lodging, so many miles of airfare, etc. In addition, Big Joz and I will be catering a "Sunday lunch" in a couple of weeks with all proceeds going to pay for trip expenses.
The first donations came in Sunday and I was pleasantly surprised. I've always been told what a generous congregation this was and after my love gift at Christmas, I learned first hand. Anyway, a few other people have asked, inquired and discussed with me how they'd like to help me, which has excited me to no end. I will celebrate my first anniversary with this church tomorrow and I absolutely LOVE my job. Ask anyone who knows me... they can attest to it!
I should mention that I'm a church secretary... at a denomation that's different than where I'm a member (and where I worked previously). When I worked at my previous church job, I asked if the church would pay my annual dues to my professional assocation (which were $50 annually). I was quickly told no, that there were no funds available. Period. I was very disappointed since I knew that $50 in that particular church's budget wouldn't even cause the water to stir around.
In order to maintain my certification with Church A, I'm required to attend a national conference every 4 years. Church B funded my trip to Church A's national conference this spring... and were supportive. I couldn't ask Church B to pay for a second national conference in one year. Besides... this trip will be more costly since I'll have to purchase an airline ticket.
I'm really digressing. Sorry. It's the Coco Beach.
Today, I received a donation to the "Send Mama Joz to Sin City" fund. A person I didn't know at all before I started work there but have gotten to know a little and am really fond of, had mailed a check for $500. I was absolutely dumbfounded when I opened the envelope. I checked to make sure that the words "five hundred" were actually written out; that the person hadn't meant $5 or $50... "five hundred" was actually written out. Wow! I can't express how humbled I felt. Someone I didn't know a year ago was investing $500 (that's a LOT of money!) in me... in my education.
I am SOO SOO grateful. Not only for this wonderful gift, but for the opportunity to work for a group of people who believe in me and what I do. This past year has been the best year of my work career. I feel loved, appreciated, supported. That's priceless. I absolutely LOVE my job and the people I work for! I am overwhelmed by their love and generosity!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Life SUCKS today...
I haven’t spoken to my son since he grabbed me in a fit of rage Sunday. Every night, my stomach has churned, hoping and praying that I didn’t receive any bad news about him.
Bud slept until 3:00 that afternoon, then got up and showered, ready to start his day (meaning leave the house immediately, getting away from us and avoiding any work or chores). First, though, he wanted my debit card so he could fill his truck up with gas. At that point, Big Joz and I told the kids it was time to have a family discussion about finances. We are going to be following Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover starting August 1. More on that later. Anyway, Bud was completely belligerent and defiant about this whole money discussion. One area that we specifically wanted and needed to discuss with him was how much our household spends on gasoline each month. He uses almost the same amount that Big Joz and I do together. Now, considering that we have J-O-B-S and he doesn’t (nor is he going to school this summer), that just doesn’t seem right to me AT ALL. Anyway, long story short, he ended up getting so angry, he yelled, cussed, called names and decided to become physical about his feelings and emotions. He left, on foot, and I haven’t heard from him since.
Big Joz texted him Sunday night and all day Monday, begging him to come home, but Bud simply stated there was no way he’d come home to a “f*ck^ng b#tch who didn’t give a sh@t about her son”. Big Joz suspended his phone service Monday night.
I have no idea where he is, who he is with or what he has been doing. The Mama in me worries constantly anyway and the last few days have been Hell. The Mama Joz in me is stubborn… let him stay gone, without a phone and a vehicle and an “endless” supply of financial support. He’s 18 years old and needs to learn a life lesson from all this. My house has stayed neat and tidy, my nerves haven’t been shot, my money hasn’t been spent carelessly. However, the Mama in me seems to be prevailing… and I want my son home.
2. My friend moved. I miss her immensely. When she moved, I lost not only my very dear friend, but my sister, my child, my housekeeper, my masseuse, my bartender, my dog sitter, my sous chef, my shadow. I know this is the best decision for all of us, but dang. I miss her. And I worry about her. Oh how I hope she takes this “last chance” and does something productive.
3. TMMO. Living on a budget. Having to say “no” to my children. Having to say “no” to Self. I don’t want to start polishing my own toenails. Damn, I have a hard enough time bending over to tie my shoes (on the rare occasions I wear something but flip flops)… but polishing my toes? And staying in the lines??
4. My marriage. After a very heated argument July 2, I left home and spent the next 48 hours in solitude; completely alone, evaluating my relationship with my husband (and the one we have with our son). The one condition on my coming home was that we start going to counseling. We have our 3rd appointment this afternoon. I love Big Joz with all my heart; he’s my best friend and he makes me laugh. We have fun together. We want to grow old together. He’s the one I want beside me when I rock my grandbabies. But, we aren’t on the same page with a few things (raising children, discipline, support and finances) and it’s very difficult for me right now.
5. My little Pud. Oh how that child worries me. Pud has absolutely ZERO concept of money! When we discussed the family budget, she guessed that our mortgage was $275 a month (of course, then she admitted that she really didn’t even know what a mortgage is); we spend $150 a month on food (groceries AND dining out) for our family of 4 and bless her heart, we spend a whopping $75 on gasoline every month for our three vehicles. WOW. She called me yesterday asking what I thought rent would be for an apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. I guessed $2,000; she announced that she had found a bargain, then, because the 1 bedroom loft she found was ONLY $1,600!
All she wants in life is to be signed to Elite Model Agency. She has begged me to buy her pills which claim to increase your height (since she was told she needed to be at least 5’ 5”). She talks about us going to Miami as if it were on our calendar to leave tomorrow.
She has decided she needs a tutor so she can get lots of scholarships for her to go to school at NYU and major in fashion merchandising.
Once again, she has decided she doesn’t want to go to her private school because of all the drama. While NOT paying tuition again sounds oh so wonderful, TOUGH—make your decisions in life and deal with them. Life ain’t always rosy, sister. Trust me. So some of your friends are b%tch+s… you act like one sometimes, too!!
Well, that’s my life in a nutshell right now. Yes, it totally sucks… BUT, I know that these things, too, shall pass. When I look at things in perspective, I realize that it all really isn’t THAT bad… really. I have a whole ton I should be thankful for… and at times (when the sun is shining, the air conditioner is blowing COOL air and I’m not in a Benadryl-induced sleeping fog), I really am a happy person. But, last night, my thoughts just totally sucked!!
Thank you for listening and caring about me and mine. Now, if you don’t mind, say a little prayer for all of us!
Bud slept until 3:00 that afternoon, then got up and showered, ready to start his day (meaning leave the house immediately, getting away from us and avoiding any work or chores). First, though, he wanted my debit card so he could fill his truck up with gas. At that point, Big Joz and I told the kids it was time to have a family discussion about finances. We are going to be following Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover starting August 1. More on that later. Anyway, Bud was completely belligerent and defiant about this whole money discussion. One area that we specifically wanted and needed to discuss with him was how much our household spends on gasoline each month. He uses almost the same amount that Big Joz and I do together. Now, considering that we have J-O-B-S and he doesn’t (nor is he going to school this summer), that just doesn’t seem right to me AT ALL. Anyway, long story short, he ended up getting so angry, he yelled, cussed, called names and decided to become physical about his feelings and emotions. He left, on foot, and I haven’t heard from him since.
Big Joz texted him Sunday night and all day Monday, begging him to come home, but Bud simply stated there was no way he’d come home to a “f*ck^ng b#tch who didn’t give a sh@t about her son”. Big Joz suspended his phone service Monday night.
I have no idea where he is, who he is with or what he has been doing. The Mama in me worries constantly anyway and the last few days have been Hell. The Mama Joz in me is stubborn… let him stay gone, without a phone and a vehicle and an “endless” supply of financial support. He’s 18 years old and needs to learn a life lesson from all this. My house has stayed neat and tidy, my nerves haven’t been shot, my money hasn’t been spent carelessly. However, the Mama in me seems to be prevailing… and I want my son home.
2. My friend moved. I miss her immensely. When she moved, I lost not only my very dear friend, but my sister, my child, my housekeeper, my masseuse, my bartender, my dog sitter, my sous chef, my shadow. I know this is the best decision for all of us, but dang. I miss her. And I worry about her. Oh how I hope she takes this “last chance” and does something productive.
3. TMMO. Living on a budget. Having to say “no” to my children. Having to say “no” to Self. I don’t want to start polishing my own toenails. Damn, I have a hard enough time bending over to tie my shoes (on the rare occasions I wear something but flip flops)… but polishing my toes? And staying in the lines??
4. My marriage. After a very heated argument July 2, I left home and spent the next 48 hours in solitude; completely alone, evaluating my relationship with my husband (and the one we have with our son). The one condition on my coming home was that we start going to counseling. We have our 3rd appointment this afternoon. I love Big Joz with all my heart; he’s my best friend and he makes me laugh. We have fun together. We want to grow old together. He’s the one I want beside me when I rock my grandbabies. But, we aren’t on the same page with a few things (raising children, discipline, support and finances) and it’s very difficult for me right now.
5. My little Pud. Oh how that child worries me. Pud has absolutely ZERO concept of money! When we discussed the family budget, she guessed that our mortgage was $275 a month (of course, then she admitted that she really didn’t even know what a mortgage is); we spend $150 a month on food (groceries AND dining out) for our family of 4 and bless her heart, we spend a whopping $75 on gasoline every month for our three vehicles. WOW. She called me yesterday asking what I thought rent would be for an apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. I guessed $2,000; she announced that she had found a bargain, then, because the 1 bedroom loft she found was ONLY $1,600!
All she wants in life is to be signed to Elite Model Agency. She has begged me to buy her pills which claim to increase your height (since she was told she needed to be at least 5’ 5”). She talks about us going to Miami as if it were on our calendar to leave tomorrow.
She has decided she needs a tutor so she can get lots of scholarships for her to go to school at NYU and major in fashion merchandising.
Once again, she has decided she doesn’t want to go to her private school because of all the drama. While NOT paying tuition again sounds oh so wonderful, TOUGH—make your decisions in life and deal with them. Life ain’t always rosy, sister. Trust me. So some of your friends are b%tch+s… you act like one sometimes, too!!
Well, that’s my life in a nutshell right now. Yes, it totally sucks… BUT, I know that these things, too, shall pass. When I look at things in perspective, I realize that it all really isn’t THAT bad… really. I have a whole ton I should be thankful for… and at times (when the sun is shining, the air conditioner is blowing COOL air and I’m not in a Benadryl-induced sleeping fog), I really am a happy person. But, last night, my thoughts just totally sucked!!
Thank you for listening and caring about me and mine. Now, if you don’t mind, say a little prayer for all of us!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Enchiladas
Got this from a Pampered Chef customer several years ago.
Enchiladas
Sauce:
1 lg. can evaporated milk
1 can hot enchilada sauce
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
Mix together in medium saucepan. Cook on low until creamy.
Meat:
Cook 3-4 pounds ground chuck. Drain. Add two packages of taco seasoning, 1 can Rotel and 1 can refried beans. Add a little water if needed.
Cheese:
Shred 1-2 pounds Cheddar; set aside.
Take 18 corn tortillas. Dip one at a time in sauce and cover the bottom of 10x15 pan, add a layer of meat and cheese. Repeat until pan is full. Pour remaining sauce over pan before baking.
Bake at 325° until cheese is well melted (about 35-40 minutes). Do not overcook.
Optional: Top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, crushed tortilla chips, sour cream and hot sauce.
6/22/11--made for the first time; Big Joz loved it! It made a LOT of enchiladas!
Enchiladas
Sauce:
1 lg. can evaporated milk
1 can hot enchilada sauce
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
Mix together in medium saucepan. Cook on low until creamy.
Meat:
Cook 3-4 pounds ground chuck. Drain. Add two packages of taco seasoning, 1 can Rotel and 1 can refried beans. Add a little water if needed.
Cheese:
Shred 1-2 pounds Cheddar; set aside.
Take 18 corn tortillas. Dip one at a time in sauce and cover the bottom of 10x15 pan, add a layer of meat and cheese. Repeat until pan is full. Pour remaining sauce over pan before baking.
Bake at 325° until cheese is well melted (about 35-40 minutes). Do not overcook.
Optional: Top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, crushed tortilla chips, sour cream and hot sauce.
6/22/11--made for the first time; Big Joz loved it! It made a LOT of enchiladas!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Caramel Cobbler
My neighbor, the Catfish Mama, gave me this recipe back in October 2009.
Caramel Cobbler
1 stick butter
1 1/2 c. self-rising flour
1 1/2 c. white granulated sugar
3/4 c. milk
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. dark or light brown sugar
1 1/2 c. hot water
Melt butter and pour into 9x13 baking dish.
Mix together flour, white sugar, milk, and vanilla. Mix well. Pour in dish over butter. DO NOT STIR.
Sprinkle top with brown sugar. (Nuts optional) DO NOT STIR.
Pour hot water over all. DO NOT STIR.
Bake at 325° for 40 to 45 minutes or until crust is done.
Serve warm. Delicious with ice cream!
6/21/11—made for the first time. This is VERY rich!
Caramel Cobbler
1 stick butter
1 1/2 c. self-rising flour
1 1/2 c. white granulated sugar
3/4 c. milk
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. dark or light brown sugar
1 1/2 c. hot water
Melt butter and pour into 9x13 baking dish.
Mix together flour, white sugar, milk, and vanilla. Mix well. Pour in dish over butter. DO NOT STIR.
Sprinkle top with brown sugar. (Nuts optional) DO NOT STIR.
Pour hot water over all. DO NOT STIR.
Bake at 325° for 40 to 45 minutes or until crust is done.
Serve warm. Delicious with ice cream!
6/21/11—made for the first time. This is VERY rich!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Parmesan Chicken
Parmesan Chicken
1/2 c. butter or margarine, melted
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. dry bread crumbs
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
In a shallow bowl, combine butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and salt.
In a plastic bag, combine crumbs and cheese. Dip chicken in butter mixture, then shake in crumbs. Place in an ungreased 9x13 baking dish. Drizzle with remaining butter mixture. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes.
6/20/11—made this for the first time; it was really good! The chicken had a wonderful flavor and was very moist. No adjustments necessary. The original recipe called for 6 to 8 chicken breasts, but the ones I had were very big; I used 5. There was just enough of the butter mixture left for another breast, but there wouldn’t have been any to drizzle. The 5 breasts filled the 9x13 baking dish perfectly.
1/2 c. butter or margarine, melted
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. dry bread crumbs
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
In a shallow bowl, combine butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and salt.
In a plastic bag, combine crumbs and cheese. Dip chicken in butter mixture, then shake in crumbs. Place in an ungreased 9x13 baking dish. Drizzle with remaining butter mixture. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes.
6/20/11—made this for the first time; it was really good! The chicken had a wonderful flavor and was very moist. No adjustments necessary. The original recipe called for 6 to 8 chicken breasts, but the ones I had were very big; I used 5. There was just enough of the butter mixture left for another breast, but there wouldn’t have been any to drizzle. The 5 breasts filled the 9x13 baking dish perfectly.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Swedish Cabbage Rolls
Swedish Cabbage Rolls
12 large cabbage leaves
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 egg, beaten
1 c. cooked rice
¼ c. milk
¼ tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
¼ c. finely chopped onions
15 oz. tomato sauce
2 tsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 T lemon juice
Immerse cabbage leaves in large kettle of salted boiling water for about 3 minutes or until limp; drain. Combine egg, milk, onion, salt, pepper, beef and cooked rice. Place about ¼ c. meat mixture in the center of each leaf; fold in sides and roll ends over the meat. Place in a crock pot.
Combine tomato sauce with brown sugar, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over cabbage rolls. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours.
6/19/11—made this for the first time. They were pretty good. Make sure you have LARGE cabbage leaves!
12 large cabbage leaves
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 egg, beaten
1 c. cooked rice
¼ c. milk
¼ tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
¼ c. finely chopped onions
15 oz. tomato sauce
2 tsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 T lemon juice
Immerse cabbage leaves in large kettle of salted boiling water for about 3 minutes or until limp; drain. Combine egg, milk, onion, salt, pepper, beef and cooked rice. Place about ¼ c. meat mixture in the center of each leaf; fold in sides and roll ends over the meat. Place in a crock pot.
Combine tomato sauce with brown sugar, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over cabbage rolls. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours.
6/19/11—made this for the first time. They were pretty good. Make sure you have LARGE cabbage leaves!
Hot Chicken Dip
I have too many recipes. I've been a recipe clipper from way back. Last week, as I was trying to organize just a small portion of my very many, I began to get overwhelmed. I -- gasp-- actually threw some away!! I admit, I had never tried them, but at one time, those recipes appealed to me, for whatever reason.
I can't handle it anymore... I'm going to actually start trying and making recipes from my collection. I realize that I could literally try a new recipe every day for the next 20 years and not get through them all. Every day really isn't feasible, though, so I'm setting a lofty goal of trying at least new five recipes every week.
Each recipe will be posted here, along with notes about the recipe. Try them yourself and let me know your opinions also!
My cousin, Stacy Smith, emailed me this recipe in September 2007. She had said it was easy, and there's no arguing that point!
Hot Chicken Dip
1 can chicken, drained
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
Mix together and bake at 350° for about 30 minutes or until bubbly around the edges.
This dip isn't very colorful at all; Big Joz said it looked like "Warm Sick". Nice, huh? It tasted pretty good, but I felt like it needed some extra seasoning or flavoring to boost it some. Next time, I'll add either some Lawry's seasoning salt and Crazy Jane's Mixed Up Seasoning Salt. Would also be good with some crab or bacon added to it. I scooped it onto Ritz crackers; Big Joz used tortilla chips. It was a nice little Friday night snack for the two of us.
I can't handle it anymore... I'm going to actually start trying and making recipes from my collection. I realize that I could literally try a new recipe every day for the next 20 years and not get through them all. Every day really isn't feasible, though, so I'm setting a lofty goal of trying at least new five recipes every week.
Each recipe will be posted here, along with notes about the recipe. Try them yourself and let me know your opinions also!
My cousin, Stacy Smith, emailed me this recipe in September 2007. She had said it was easy, and there's no arguing that point!
Hot Chicken Dip
1 can chicken, drained
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
Mix together and bake at 350° for about 30 minutes or until bubbly around the edges.
This dip isn't very colorful at all; Big Joz said it looked like "Warm Sick". Nice, huh? It tasted pretty good, but I felt like it needed some extra seasoning or flavoring to boost it some. Next time, I'll add either some Lawry's seasoning salt and Crazy Jane's Mixed Up Seasoning Salt. Would also be good with some crab or bacon added to it. I scooped it onto Ritz crackers; Big Joz used tortilla chips. It was a nice little Friday night snack for the two of us.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
So You Think You Can Doula?
Well, yes, I think I can.
I have always been intrigued with childbirth. I remember being sick one day and instead of staying home from school, I went to work with my mom. She worked in the county health department--great place to take a sick kid! Anyway, one of the nurses let me watch a film called "The Story of Eric". Turns out, it was a 34 minute color documentary that follows a young mother through her first childbearing experience to help educate parents about the Lamaze method of childbirth.
It kind of freaked me out at the time because it showed, full-on, a live human birth. At the age of probably 8 or 9, I'm not so sure I was really ready to see that. But from that day on, I was hooked on the miracle of it all.
I had wonderful pregnancy, childbirth and delivery experiences. I had a great support system in Big Joz. Unfortunately, some women aren't that fortunate.
I learned during the time I was caring for my Grandpa that I really do believe I'm a good caretaker, moreso during times of more "need" or even stress... I can handle the tougher stuff pretty well, I think.
The thought of becoming a doula is a relatively new one, meaning that I haven't grown up thinking about it. But in the last few months, several factors have played into what's become my decision to purse doula certification.
My biological clock has been ticking... loudly... for at least a couple of years. Given that I had my tubes tied, cut, burnt, etc. 15 years ago, I ain't havin' no more babies!! I did, however, give serious thought to having my tubal reversed. Big Joz never really thought that was a great idea, however. And in all honesty, the thought of going through potty training again... YUK!!
With Bud graduating from high school this spring and looking ahead to his future, there have been lots of discussions about "what to do with your life". I remember when I was his age, I gave a lot of thought into wanting to pursue a career in culinary arts. Yes, I wanted to go to cooking school. Seemed a great thing to do... except that it was VERY expensive, it was VERY far away from home and no one had ever done anything like that before. Well, no one I knew. No one from my little town. So, I didn't. I chose the path more traveled and went to regular college like everyone else. When Bud and I went to register him for college, I began to wonder if it was too late for me to try something new.
Last December when my Chocolate Lab safely delivered 10 beautiful, healthy puppies, I very much felt like I couldn't do enough for her to help her with her own miracle of birth. I felt like Hershey and I did a great job together!
Given my love of babies and everything that goes along with getting them here and given my thought that I CAN be a good caretaker, why not try this doula thing?
I LOVE my current job as a church secretary... can't imagine not being here. So I'm not looking to replace my job or my income by any means, I just want to try something that will allow me to help other women have the same positive childbirth and labor experiences I did. I want to be a support for other mothers. I want to help babies come into the world.
So, it's Wednesday. Sunday night, I joined DONA (Doulas of North America) International. Monday, I ordered four of the five required reading books (the 5th one wasn't available at the time). I also ordered my certification packet on Monday; it contains all the forms I'll need to complete to become a certified doula. Yesterday, I registered for the required childbirth class, the Doula workshop and the breastfeeding classes that are all requirements as well. I'm well on my way, I guess... I just need to find some expectant moms who are willing to allow me to attend their births now...
Family reactions to my doula-ism has been interesting. Big Joz listened, then asked several questions--several really good questions. After I answered them as honestly as I knew how at the time, he told me he thought I would be a good doula. Bud and Pud? They don't want to know a thing about it... it's gross!
When I called my dad to tell him I was going to become a doula, he, of course, had no idea what a doula is, so I explained to him that I would provide non-medical support to an expectant mother during childbirth and delivery. He still didn't quite get it. I then told him that I was going to be like Mama (his paternal grandmother). Mama was called a "midwife", although she had no medical training... she probably attended more births during her time than the local doctors! If only I could be adored as Mama was! Oh, Daddy did say he'd love to know more about the breastfeeding class.
My Mimi (Daddy's mother) seemed to be very pleased when I told her about my plans. She assured me that she knew I would be successful at anything I set my mind to. She saw the care I gave Grandpa; she knows how I love babies. Her blessing is very important to me.
Mother? Well, she thinks I'm going to medical school because I'm pregnant....
I have always been intrigued with childbirth. I remember being sick one day and instead of staying home from school, I went to work with my mom. She worked in the county health department--great place to take a sick kid! Anyway, one of the nurses let me watch a film called "The Story of Eric". Turns out, it was a 34 minute color documentary that follows a young mother through her first childbearing experience to help educate parents about the Lamaze method of childbirth.
It kind of freaked me out at the time because it showed, full-on, a live human birth. At the age of probably 8 or 9, I'm not so sure I was really ready to see that. But from that day on, I was hooked on the miracle of it all.
I had wonderful pregnancy, childbirth and delivery experiences. I had a great support system in Big Joz. Unfortunately, some women aren't that fortunate.
I learned during the time I was caring for my Grandpa that I really do believe I'm a good caretaker, moreso during times of more "need" or even stress... I can handle the tougher stuff pretty well, I think.
The thought of becoming a doula is a relatively new one, meaning that I haven't grown up thinking about it. But in the last few months, several factors have played into what's become my decision to purse doula certification.
My biological clock has been ticking... loudly... for at least a couple of years. Given that I had my tubes tied, cut, burnt, etc. 15 years ago, I ain't havin' no more babies!! I did, however, give serious thought to having my tubal reversed. Big Joz never really thought that was a great idea, however. And in all honesty, the thought of going through potty training again... YUK!!
With Bud graduating from high school this spring and looking ahead to his future, there have been lots of discussions about "what to do with your life". I remember when I was his age, I gave a lot of thought into wanting to pursue a career in culinary arts. Yes, I wanted to go to cooking school. Seemed a great thing to do... except that it was VERY expensive, it was VERY far away from home and no one had ever done anything like that before. Well, no one I knew. No one from my little town. So, I didn't. I chose the path more traveled and went to regular college like everyone else. When Bud and I went to register him for college, I began to wonder if it was too late for me to try something new.
Last December when my Chocolate Lab safely delivered 10 beautiful, healthy puppies, I very much felt like I couldn't do enough for her to help her with her own miracle of birth. I felt like Hershey and I did a great job together!
Given my love of babies and everything that goes along with getting them here and given my thought that I CAN be a good caretaker, why not try this doula thing?
I LOVE my current job as a church secretary... can't imagine not being here. So I'm not looking to replace my job or my income by any means, I just want to try something that will allow me to help other women have the same positive childbirth and labor experiences I did. I want to be a support for other mothers. I want to help babies come into the world.
So, it's Wednesday. Sunday night, I joined DONA (Doulas of North America) International. Monday, I ordered four of the five required reading books (the 5th one wasn't available at the time). I also ordered my certification packet on Monday; it contains all the forms I'll need to complete to become a certified doula. Yesterday, I registered for the required childbirth class, the Doula workshop and the breastfeeding classes that are all requirements as well. I'm well on my way, I guess... I just need to find some expectant moms who are willing to allow me to attend their births now...
Family reactions to my doula-ism has been interesting. Big Joz listened, then asked several questions--several really good questions. After I answered them as honestly as I knew how at the time, he told me he thought I would be a good doula. Bud and Pud? They don't want to know a thing about it... it's gross!
When I called my dad to tell him I was going to become a doula, he, of course, had no idea what a doula is, so I explained to him that I would provide non-medical support to an expectant mother during childbirth and delivery. He still didn't quite get it. I then told him that I was going to be like Mama (his paternal grandmother). Mama was called a "midwife", although she had no medical training... she probably attended more births during her time than the local doctors! If only I could be adored as Mama was! Oh, Daddy did say he'd love to know more about the breastfeeding class.
My Mimi (Daddy's mother) seemed to be very pleased when I told her about my plans. She assured me that she knew I would be successful at anything I set my mind to. She saw the care I gave Grandpa; she knows how I love babies. Her blessing is very important to me.
Mother? Well, she thinks I'm going to medical school because I'm pregnant....
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