Food Friday

Well, I thought I was done for today after the previous post but then I remembered that today is Friday. And I have a GREAT recipe. Make it today if you are starting your diet tomorrow because this is probably not going to be on the list of foods you can have.

So, here's the challenge: go now to your locally-owned grocery store, get all of the ingredients, make this immediately and eat til your hearts content. I have this cake in the refrigerator right now. I think I'll go have a piece. Yes, I know. You don't have to remind me it's only 9:20 in the morning.

Butterfinger Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix (Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge is a good one), plus eggs, water, and oil needed to prepare
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 jar caramel sauce (the ice cream topping)
1 8 oz container Cool Whip
3 full sized Butterfinger bars, crushed

Directions:
1. Prepare cake mix and bake as according to instructions on the box using a 9x13 pan.
2. Leave oven on. While cake is still hot, poke holes in it ( a wooden skewer works well). Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the hot cake. Let sit until most of the milk sinks into cake.
2. Heat caramel in microwave just until it is a good consistency for pouring. Pour evenly over cake. Turn oven off and then place the cake in the oven for about 5 minutes. Take out and place in refrigerator overnight.
3. When ready to serve, spread Cool Whip over the top of the cake and sprinkle with crushed Butterfingers.

2010 Top 10

I know some bloggers do those really deep and meaningful Top Ten Lists each year and I had high aspirations of that at first but to tell you the truth, I’m just not feeling too deep or meaningful today. So for my Top 10 you’re getting such deep subjects as fashion, movies and make-up. Par for the course, I suppose.

1. However, I do have to start with a serious one because when I think back on this year, I think of how good God has been to me and my family. His blessings have overflowed. Yes, we have had our share of troubles, disappointments, and hurts but if I know anything I know that my God is faithful. He is good. He is full of grace and mercy. He is loving. Among a lot of other thankful moments, I just can’t think about this year without thanking Him for protecting my children. That’s why my most thankful moment of 2010 came when in separate accidents both of my children totaled their cars but neither was injured. Praise Him!

Okay, deep breath. Dry my eyes.

2. My favorite movie of 2010: “Toy Story 3.” Hands down. Loved it.
3. My favorite book of 2010: My favorite book of the Bible this year has been Nehemiah. My favorite totally-superficial book is “Happily Ever After” by Nora Roberts. The 4th and final installment in the Bride Quartet about wedding planner, Parker Brown. I aspire to be the wedding planner she is written to be.
4. My favorite television show: Castle. Monday night on ABC. Wouldn’t miss it.
5. My favorite fashion addition. My black tall boots with the 4inch heels. I feel long, lean and sleek in them. And since I am none of those things, I call them “miracle boots.”
6. My favorite beauty addition: My L’Oreal Anti-Redness Primer. The stuff is as green as a gourd. I look like some sort of swamp creature when I put it on. I’m not sure how or why it does what it does but thank goodness, it does.
7. My favorite home addition: The bed in the guest bedroom. It’s rich, dark, heavy and wonderful. Everything else in this room is neutral in color. I love the way that bed anchors the room. Followed closely by the “ground beef crumbler” from Pampered Chef. One of the best kitchen utensils ever.
8. My favorite travel moment: Our trip to San Francisco in September. And when at the last minute, we got to go to the Georgia/Florida game. And when the entire family traveled to Orlando. Okay, I can't choose.
9. My favorite activity: I’d have to say it is doing the “What’s for Supper?” segment every day. This is a God-thing if there ever was one and I could not enjoy it more.
10. My biggest accomplishment this year: I guess that would be losing some weight. I give God the glory here for the resolve, discipline and self control He gave me because goodness knows it came from Him and not me.

I’m going to be back soon with some 2011-related goals. I would love to hear yours.

Christmas 2010

Well, how was everyone's Christmas? Our family had an amazing day then it started to snow and they all ran like the wind. Mother was just sure she was going to have to stay with us if she didn't get home this very second and that wouldn't be so bad except we don't go to bed at 6:00 and don't have two electric blankets in every room. Oh, by the way, D got me an electric blanket for Christmas and the two of us are extremely happy together. In fact, he calls my name every night when I get home and we don't leave each other's company until I absolutely have to. And then I have separation issues.

Christmas morning every one of my family members was under my roof and nothing makes me happier. I served them homemade cinnamon rolls and yes, I did make them myself. And they had yeast in them which is important to note because in the past, I have sworn off any recipe that had yeast in it. I admit, it was pure fear - fear of not rising or fear of rising so much that the batter would take over the whole kitchen. (I think I saw that in a really bad movie once). I conquered my fear and made the best cinnamon rolls in history, my history anyway. Then we opened presents and ate again. We do love to eat in this family. Oh and I got two cookbooks and recipe software for Christmas!! (Actually I got three cookbooks for Christmas because I treated myself to Christy Jordan's cookbook, "Southern Plate" because I got one for E and hey, I needed one too after all). Anyway, I simply cannot wait to get cooking. Yay!!

We braved the snow Christmas evening and went to the movies. We saw "The Tourist" and I liked it alot. We had seen "True Grit" earlier in the week and I liked it even more. Yes, it is a western with lots of saloons, hangins', shootin' and the such but for a girl who watched "Gunsmoke" and "Bonanza" every time they came on tv as a child, I am very accustomed to a good western. I thought Jeff Bridges did a great job (okay, he's no John Wayne but who is?) and the girl who plays Mattie is awesome. All in all, both of these movies were worth the money we paid and I don't say that too often.

By Sunday, my electric blanket and I were warming up to each other and by the end of the day, we had totally cemented our relationship. We didn't leave each other all day. G had gotten me John Grisham's new book for Christmas, "The Confession" and I read it all in one day. And it was no easy read since it deals directly with the death penalty and someone who is facing it. But like most of John Gresham's books, once you start them, you just can't stop. And then, since I was totally in the reading mood, I moved on to the book I had gotten D for Christmas, George Bush's "Decision Points." Well, it's like reading a suspense novel so I can hardly put it down. I have total respect for this man and his presidency especially after reading his accounts of 9/11 and the struggles he faced not only as president but as a man.

Because we have been snowed in (i.e. there is snow on the ground), I thought I would rent us a few movies. NetFlix just couldn't get them to us fast enough so I went to the movie rental store and got three movies. I watched "Eat, Love, Pray" with Julia Roberts last night. Interesting movie. I hadn't read the book so I wasn't sure what to expect. Let me just say, I thought the scenery of Italy, India and Bali was the best part. You didn't know you were going to get a movie review post today, did you? It's so rare that we see a movie that's not at least a year out from the box office and then they are pretty much forgotten.
Thinking about "Eat, Love, Pray" - there is FREE download on Beth Moore's website (lproof.org) of her Living Proof Live teaching called "Eat, Pray, Love" except this is based on the book of Jeremiah. It will only take you a few minutes to download to your computer. I have only listened to the first one but it was powerful. Much better than the movie. :)

So, if you're thinking all I've done since Christmas is read books and watch movies, you're pretty much right. I have managed to squeeze in working in the office; going to the WindowShop for a total redo of the whole store (after Christmas sale wiped everything out) and a long, wonderful breakfast meeting with a good friend this morning.
Tonight, my boy and some of his buddies have their first paying gig at The Monkey Barrel downtown. I haven't actually seen G play in a band since he played in the Praise Band at church in high school. I know he has because I've seen him toting those drums in and out of our house a jillion times. So I'm excited to actually see him play. I think I am going to have to have a nap before we go because apparently if you play at somewhere like The Monkey Barrel, the bands don't start playing until 10:00. Really? That's getting pretty close to my bed time but you better believe, I will miss my curfew with my electric blanket for my boy.

This is what our house looked like the day after Christmas.

Just a few pictures from Christmas. My family started hollering at me to use my big, beautiful, fancy camera that takes amazing pictures after I pulled out my little pocketsize Nikon. So most of my pictures are on that camera. But to tell you the absolute truth, I have no earthly idea how to load those pictures off of that big camera to this blog. It is my goal in 2011 to learn that skill.

D got a new shirt and tie from my momma (I picked it out while she supervised).

For some reason, G said this nutcracker reminded him of me (well, why do you think I get nutcrackers for you? because someday when I'm dead and gone and you are looking at your nutcracker collection hopefully it will remind you of me :)) This nutcracker is wearing black and white houndstooth with lots of rhinestone bling. And why in the world would that remind him of me?

The first weekend of December, E and N were at a pre-SEC championship concert in Buckhead. They had parked E's car in a parking garage and soon realized that someone had broken into it and stolen both of their briefcases, laptops included. In N's briefcase was a leather portfolio that he used regularly. We had given it to him for either his birthday or Christmas a couple of years earlier. So, he got a deja vu gift from us - another leather portfolio. I don't know what upset E more - losing her laptop or her Coach pocketbook (thankfully it was empty).

I'm sure you noticed that one skill I have learned in the past couple of days is the changing of my blog background. E had typically done this for me in the past but I was playing around with things the other night and figured it out for myself. (Actually the blog background website had very specific instructions and sometimes I can follow instructions . . . sometimes) So what do you think? Now that I know what I know, I'll be mixing it up for 2011. Speaking of 2011, what your goals? I have goals not resolutions. I'll be sharing mine soon.

Happy Wednesday!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

I have a few minutes before all of our Christmas eve festivities begin, so I was sitting here staring at our Christmas tree, visually taking in all of the beauty. I have a formally "decorated" tree in our living room but the family room tree is just that, the family tree. When I look at our Christmas tree, is nothing but a trip down our family memory lane. I have collected ornaments from every location we have visited on our family vacations. I have every ornament my children ever made. I have many that were precious gifts from special people. I love each and every one.
And then I do the unexpected maybe. I saved E's Christmas doll from when she was a little girl and put it on the tree every year.And G's angel he made in elementary school. His name written in his own handwriting.

Special photos. G "loves" this one. Check out those beads. :)

E's senior picture.

Both of these were gifts from a precious friend. And the true reason we celebrate.

This just makes my heart happy!

The Love Bug. My favorite movie when I was growing up. Love that Herbie.


This ornament is so cool. Mickey's silhouette from our surprise Disney vacation in the fall of 2009.
Oh, and the one behind it is one from mine and E's craft party this year. I wrote JandJ on it.

From one of my trips to NYC when we saw the Radio City Music Hall's Rockettes Christmas Spectacular.

And finally, a photo of my mom and dad taken in the late 70s. Oh my heart.

Merry Christmas Eve 2010!

It's Friday but it's not Food Friday, it is Christmas Eve Friday! Isn't that exciting? and how did that happen, by the way? Doesn't time just go by WAY too fast?

I'm gonna have to be honest with you, I have been in a little funk lately. Don't ask me why. Does a woman have to have a reason? No faster than you can say hormones may be the reason for this. I don't know. But I do know that there is no better way to get a girl out of her self-absorbed funk and smacked back into her reality than to begin counting my blessings. And in my case, hearing about some folks who have some real concerns - like spending Christmas in the hospital because of some very severe injuries; or like having very, very sick children; or like missing their fiance because he is serving in Afghanistan; or like wondering where their rebellious young adult child is spending Christmas. Oh, heavenly day. All this not too depress you, only a reminder to this sometimes too-wrapped-up-in-her-own self girlfriend, that you know what? I.Am.Beyond.Blessed. Beyond. And even if I were in my own personal wilderness, I am still blessed. Because I have a Father who so loved this world that He gave His one and only Son so that I will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).

And because of that, we should all have a very Merry Christmas. I hope you do.

Food Monday

I have no excuse. It's Monday and here's a great recipe.

I made this recipe a couple of weeks ago and it is amazing. Just be very careful not to overcook it. It is, after all, prime rib. If you don't have a meat thermometer, it's totally worth a couple of dollars to buy one. Better to spend there than to overcook a good (and pricey) cut of meat.

Christmas Dinner Standing Rib Roast

Ingredients:
2-3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon lemon pepper
1 ½ teaspoon garlic salt or powder
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 7 pound standing rib roast
Directions:
1. Rub olive oil over roast. Combine lemon pepper, garlic salt, rosemary and black pepper. Rub over roast.
2. Place roast, fat side up, in a large roasting pan. Insert a meat thermometer.
3. Bake, uncovered, at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake, 20 minutes per pound.

Enjoy!

It's a Wonderful Life!

I've been hearing rumblings from one of my regular readers (aka my firstborn) that I haven't been posting often enough for her liking. Well, you know, it's not like I've been sitting around eating bon-bons (or Nutter Butter cookie truffles - hypothetically speaking, of course). So let's just see what I've been up to the past few days. I am requiring order in my life right now, therefore my writing will be numbered. Just the way I like it.

1. Wednesday morning I volunteered at the Care Center. What a blessing it is to be there. I count it a privilege and an honor to share the love of Jesus with the women who come through those doors.
2. Wednesday evening was our annual Christmas Communion at church. This is one of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season. And to make it even more special, not only were my immediate family members all there, so was my momma, D's parents, and our niece. It was awesome. D's sister and her husband were expected to come but they got caught in the 285 parking lot during the ice storm that night. Thankfully, they made it safely to D's parent's house later that evening. I had chili cooking in the crock pot for everyone afterwards along with a Sour Cream Pound Cake, Buttermilk Coconut Pie and German Chocolate Fudge for dessert. You can't have too many desserts I always say.
3. On Thursday, I had lunch with one of my favorite people. You've heard me talk about D's aunts who I love so very much. Well, one of them lives right here in Gainesville so we get together periodically for lunch and this time, to exchange Christmas gifts. We laughed, we cried and everything in between. And we had chicken quesadillas. I don't know what it is with me and chicken quesadillas but every time I go anywhere I feel compelled to order them. They took me to my happy place.
4. Friday, oh, Friday was non-stop. I got to the office about 10:00. Now getting to the office at 10 may sound like I laid in the bed til 9 and then got ready and went. No, sirree. I was out the door by 7:30 and ran errands right up til 10. You know how it is this time of year, there's a million things to do. If the stores would open before 10 in the morning, that would be very helpful. At 11:00 E and I were meeting a bride and her mother. One coming from Ohio; the other from Alabama. There is a really long story about how this couple arrived to get married at Montaluce Winery in May and you wouldn't believe me if I sorted it all out for you. It was incredible. Anyway, we LOVED this mother and daughter. E said to me after the fact, "Mom, they were just like the northern version of us." It was true and that statement just made me smile.
5. Friday afternoon: As you know, I usually go into the radio station at about 4:40 p.m. every day, for about 20 minutes, to do the What's for Supper? segment. Well, the big news on Friday was that the George and BJ Show was coming to us - J and J Foods Limestone Parkway location!! They did the whole show right there in the frozen food section. I thought this was a great idea when we all first talked about it. Then I went to a meeting concerning the details and soon discovered that I was to not only be there the whole time, I would do 10 different segments!! Now granted they were very short segments but still you have to appear to know what you're talking about during those segments. Whoowee! It was interesting to say the least but I had a great time. The folks at Jacobs Media are truly the greatest folks to work with and we just could not have had more fun!
At about 6:15, when the show was over, I ran home, grabbed G, D and our Christmas gifts and headed to D's parent's house for our celebration with his family. Oh, my goodness. As soon as I walked in the door, I could smell the awesomeness. I kicked off those high heels I had been wearing all day and settled in for an amazing evening. We had ham, creamed corn, green beans, sweet potato casserole, homemade yeast rolls - need I go on? We took our traditional family photo, opened gifts, played the Wii and overall, enjoyed each other's company.
6. Yesterday morning, E and I had our annual Cookie Baking Day. We decided to mix it up a little as far as our cookies and little did we know, how much we really would mix it up. I have told y'all that I have created what I call, Crevolyn's Christmas Cookie. So I was telling her about it and feeling a little on the wild side, we decided to change it up even more with our ingredients. What we didn't realize til right before we got ready to drop them on the cookie sheet was that we had left out a very important ingredient - the brown sugar. Oh.No. We had put the white sugar in but completely forgot the brown sugar. I told E that we would have to just go with it and guess what? They turned out great, different but great. This was D's comment when he tasted them, "this may be the weirdest cookie I have ever tasted. It's like a pecan sandie with no pecan, just sandie and chocolate. I can't stop eating them." Now, I'm not quite ready to give away all my secrets because well, to be honest, I haven't quite perfected it yet. It's a process, you know.
Then we made Cookie Truffles with Nutter Butters and milk chocolate. This is another story. We get to the point in the recipe where you are supposed to chill them before you dip them in the chocolate. So, I think I'll be really smart, and go put them out in the cooler in the garage. I get one cookie sheet full in the cooler and then the second. Except the second one is sitting on some bottles and yep, you guessed it, it shifted and cookie truffles went rolling everywhere! All over that garage floor! It was a sad moment in our cookie baking day. But the show must go on and we made it through and had a great time. Finished in plenty of time to have lunch at Panera so all was well with the world.
7. This morning, D and I were pretty tired so we decided we would go to our 11:00 service at church. Now this is what they call the Real Life Service, but we affectionately call it the Rock and Roll Service. But this morning, the music could not have been better. It was awesome. Yes, it was loud and yes, the drums were prevalent. Oh, and get this, the drum line from Chestatee High School even made an experience during one of the songs. It was so cool. I am constantly amazed at the talent of these folks. And Tom's sermon was again, the best. I hope I can share more about it later in the week.
8. Okay, so then after church, we decided to go out to lunch. I have cooked alot this week and honestly, I needed a break. So, we went to one of those buffet places, where it's all you can eat and you pay as you go in. I really wasn't paying much attention as D was paying but something did catch my attention very soon. D handed this young lady a $10 bill for our lunch. Ten Dollars for both of us to eat lunch?? I kinda looked at him puzzled and he just smiled. I thought, oh no, it couldn't be, it just couldn't be. I proceeded to go through the line and couldn't wait until we got to the table to ask the question. Before I could even open my mouth, D handed me the receipt. OH.NO. She.Did.Not. She.Couldn't.Have. But she did. She gave us the . . . Senior Discount.
And on that note I'm done. I'm going to go put my teeth in a glass.

Promised Land Living

Updates: I didn't go to Unicoi yesterday. I stayed right here where it was only 29 degrees for the high and the wind chill was in the single digits. Oh, at the cold. When I called up to Unicoi yesterday morning to let them know I needed to reschedule, I asked the young lady who answered the phone how the roads where. When she answered, "I really don't know. I didn't go home last night, it was just safer for me to stay here at the Lodge," I knew I had made the right decision.

Yesterday afternoon I marched myself right into Wolf Camera and had multiple copies of our family photo made for yes, you guessed it, our Christmas cards. So, as of 10:00 this morning, I will have a zillion copies of a family picture that none of us are really crazy about but that's okay. Later in the day I went to Family Christian Store and got the cards. I walked around and around that card display until I was dizzy and finally yelled to myself "MAKE A DECISION ALREADY." Just to myself, not out loud. So, if I can continue in this semi-motivated vein, I might get a Christmas card or two out this year. That remains to be seen.

One a a more serious note . . . During my quiet time, I've been doing Priscilla Shirer's study, "One in a Million" and oh, at the good. The basic thought is that we need to be doing some Promised Land Living in Christ. Of the two million Israelites that were in oppression in Egypt for 370+ years, TWO made it to the Promised Land of Canaan. TWO. That's one in a million. For the Israelites to obtain freedom from Egyptian bondage, they had to trust in God-empowered Moses as their deliverer. Just as we have to trust in Jesus as our deliverer from our sin.
There is a difference between being free in Christ and living free in Christ. If we are believers, we have been granted freedom. God gives believers in Christ positional sanctification. This means we have a position of "set-apartness," holiness and righteousness that cannot be manipulated or altered. Nothing can be done to remove a true believer from this position. But this cannot be the end goal for someone determined to live in the freedom of Christ.

"It was for freedom that Christ sets us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

So here is the question to be answered: am I living a lifestyle of freedom? Rest assured, the Enemy want to keep us from living free. He is working against us, so we must work through a process that requires obedience and yieldedness to God . . . everyday.

Now listen closely to this: Being declared free gives us eternal freedom but walking in it gives us daily freedom. It's that daily dying to our fleshly ole selves and submitting to what God desires. I believe to some extent we are all entangled in some sort of bondage and the fact is in some areas, we may not be fully aware of it. To truly live free, we've got to search our hearts and ask God to reveal those areas where we aren't living that full and abundant life He desires for us. There is only one way to promised land living and that is obedience to the only One who can unshackle us from the curse and consequence of sin. He is our Ultimate Deliverer and . . .
He is the Prince of Peace
He is the King of Kings
He is the Lord of Lords
He is the Everlasting Father
He is the Wonderful Counselor
He is the Faithful and True
He is the Light of the World
He is the Redeemer of All Nations
He is the Rock and Salvation
He is the Ancient of Days
He is the Alpha and Omega
He is the One Who Was, Who Is and Is To Come

Amen and Amen!

The Weather Outside is Frightful

Why yes, the weather is a little on the frightful; no, not that bad, maybe just a little on the nervous. The wind is blustery (I have always wanted to use that word. It's one that seems only the meteorologist have right to but hey, I can assume the identity on this blog) and there is some precipitation in the air. I'm supposed to go up in the mountains tomorrow to Unicoi State Park to meet with their site manager about a wedding we have there soon. But believe you me, if it's snowing, I'm not going. No need for unnecessary travel, I always say.

Okay, so what's new? D and I had dinner at Roosters Friday night and it was awesome. I love that place - the chicken quesadillas were to die for. After that, we went to see"Nuncrackers" at the Holly Theatre in Dahlonega. Honestly, the best part of that whole trip, other than those chicken quesadillas, was the walk around the Square. It is gorgeous, I tell you. Love that place. Oh wait, there was something else that was amazing - the milk chocolate turtles that we got at Paul Thomas Chocolates on the Square. Somehow, I had totally missed this little chocolate shop on the Square before but I won't miss it again. Those turtles - think manna from heaven.

Yesterday I spent all day, ALL day in the kitchen cooking up baked goodies as a gift for our Handbell Choir. Here is what was the on the menu:
Graham Cracker Bark
Cream Cheese Fingers
Orange Tea Cakes
Peanut Butter Fudge
Pecan Pie Squares and
Drum Roll please . . . . I have created my own cookie. I know. Who knew? I'm calling it "Crevolyn's Christmas Cookie." I know not that original of a title (unless you consider my name which in it's own right makes it original) but I'll be doggone if this cookie wasn't pretty darn good. Especially, for something I created my own self. I'll share this recipe pretty soon. Trying to decide if I should get some sort of patent on it or something. D says they don't patent cookies - I think they should.

Today . . . Well, can I just say our church service this morning was beyond incredible. I tell you, if you didn't feel the Spirit of Jesus this morning in that Sanctuary, you must have slept through the entire thing. The handbells :), the choir, the solos, the orchestra but most of the all, the sermon . . . awesome. Tom spoke on Joy, having the joy of Jesus. He brought it to the table, I tell you. So good.

I'm sitting here for just a few minutes before I've got to get right back out in the cold and head over to the Limestone store for the joy of some children's voices. The Enota Elementary Show Choir (65 voices!) is sharing a special performance right in our store this afternoon. My good friend, Sheila, is their very talented director and I wouldn't miss it for the world. After that, D and I are headed out to do some shopping for our Secret Santa family. While I won't go into much detail here, trust me when I say, I am so burdened for this family. Alot of folks have alot of troubles. Maybe we can relieve just a few of their worries for a little while. That is my prayer.

By the way, because I know y'all have been on the edge of your seats about this, we still have no Christmas cards or picture to go in it. What is wrong with me? Not sure this is going to happen this year and if it doesn't, it's not the end of the world. Just the first time in 25 years that we haven't sent a Christmas card. Can I live with that? Hmm.

Have a good Sunday!

Food Friday - This May be Your Christmas Card

Earlier in the week, my good friend and I were discussing her husband's office Christmas party, which she is hosting in their home this evening. We were talking about what her menu might include and I told her about this great Buttermilk Coconut Pie recipe.
When her plate began to get full right before this party (which always seems to happen when you are hosting a party), I told her I would make her pies for her. So last night, I made the pies and hopefully, they will taste as good as they smelled in my kitchen. It was all I could do to keep my husband from sticking a fork right in the middle of one of them.
As yummy as they taste and as good as they smell, they just aren't anything special to look at. Not that every pie has to be a beauty queen but it's an added perk if they are. Anyway, I remembered these Martha Stewart cake stencils I had and wondered how they would look on a pie. Well, what do you think?

Here is the recipe and it is yummy!

Buttermilk Coconut Pie

3 eggs

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/8 tablespoon freshly grated nutmeg

1 cup grated coconut

1 deep dish pie shell or 2 regular pie shells

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Beat eggs until frothy; add butter, sugar and flour. Beat until smooth.

3. Stir in buttermilk, vanilla, lemon juice and nutmeg. pour into pie shell.

4. Bake at 40 to 45 minutes, or until center is firm.

Enjoy!

With all my Christmas card concerns this year, you may just have to consider this your formal greeting. If so, I'll add a photo of G to make the family complete.

These were taken at the GFIA Holiday Extravaganza in Atlanta last week.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!!!

The Long and Short of It

You know it's that time of year when you are in such a flurry you don't know exactly where the time goes. This week has been full of the usual for this time of year - working, shopping, wrapping, and cooking mixed in with a little (or alot) of time spent in the Windowshop. We were there on Monday, Tuesday and went to the Mart on Wednesday to buy for the shop. Folks keep buying and we keep stocking it; trying to make it look attractive. It very well could be a full time job if we let it.

And in between all that, I am trying to do my real job. We are working with three of the sweetest brides ever who are all three planning weddings for next fall. But . . . right now is when all the decisions are being made on things such as vendors, colors, and venues. Their save-the-dates are going out and they are on top of it. They are wanting things done and done right which, by the way, is the way we do things.

Just a couple of things that I think you may need to know in absolutely no order whatsoever.
1. First of all, I just want you to know how much I love the wrapping paper that they sell at Hobby Lobby. Love it. It has lines on the back for cutting and on top of that; it's thick but not too thick; and it is just plain beautiful.
2. I have bought the best Christmas presents this year for my family and friends. I cannot wait to give them their gifts! There is nothing I love better than to give someone something that they love. I am surrounded by good "gift-givers" in my family so that really raises the bar in the whole gifting area. I wish I could tell you about them but I happen to know that at least three of the recipients are frequent readers, so I'm gonna have to keep my mouth shut on this one.
3. I said this last year and I'll say it again, Harry Connick Jr.'s Christmas CD is fabulous. I love it so much.
4. As you know, I'm just not that into politics but I do have an interest in who is elected and what kind of, how should I say this, moral foundation they have. D, on the other hand, reads about it, listens to talk radio about it and watches tv about it. I get worn out with the whole thing in about oh, maybe 15 minutes. However, when I saw the email come through from the Chamber about the Eggs and Issues Breakfast Meeting this morning at the Civic Center, I knew I wanted to go. Our new governor-elect and Lieutenant Governor were both there as well as most of the elected officials from our area. Our governor-elect and Lt. Governor are both from Gainesville which honestly, is pretty amazing when you think about it. As I sat there and listened to all these men speak, I thought about several things.
It's a pretty thankless job.
It comes with alot of risk to the person in office as well as their families.
You have to know alot about alot of stuff. I sat there thinking, how do they know all of this information about all of these issues, serve on 42 committees at the Capital and still have time to run businesses and raise families?
I just know, my prayers go with them as they attempt to make a better place for us, our children and the generations to come.
5. Do you not love getting Christmas cards in the mail? I love the ones with photos. Just makes me smile. We attempted to have our family photo made over the weekend and that was pretty much was a disaster. So I may just have to live vicariously through those of you who send me super awesome pictures of your families this year. If the mood strikes, I might attempt it.
6. I get to go on a date with my husband tomorrow night! I'm so excited. This has been a really, really stressful week for him at work so we are going to forget our troubles and drive up to Dahlonega, have some supper and take in a local theatre production. The play is "Nuncrackers" and if it is anything like it's predecessor, "Nunsense," we should be in for a treat. I'll let you know.
7. It is cold. Cold, cold. Honestly, I don't mind the cold as long as we don't have snow, ice or anything resembling them. In my opinion, the cold just makes the fire warmer, the house cozier and the Christmas tree brighter.
8. My boy has one more final in the morning and then he is done for the semester. Let's just say this has been a most trying couple of months for our family and I'm ready for a fresh start. The boy has persevered through some tough circumstances and for that, I could not be prouder of him.

Well, that's it for now. I've got some cooking to do and I better get in there and do it.
Until tomorrow . . .

Food Friday - on Friday!

Well, look at me, why don't ya? Actually got a Food Friday on Friday and before 9:00 in the morning, no less!

This is the recipe I told y'all about on Tuesday - the Pork Tenderloin and Cranberry Chutney. I am telling you the truth when I say this is the best, most moist pork tenderloin I have ever had. And it was so easy.

Let me tell you a few things about the Cranberry Chutney. First, it's great as written, maybe a little sweet so I would suggest adding the sugar a little at a time and getting it just right for your own taste buds.
Second, if you don't have fresh cranberries, you can use two cans of whole berry cranberry sauce and omit the sugar. Works just fine.
Third, this recipe is great served as an appetizer - over a block of cream cheese with crackers.
Fourth, it's also a great gift. It doesn't have an extremely long shelf life so you would need to wrap it up pretty and give it quickly.

So there you go. Believe me, if you try this, you'll be thanking me.

Elegant and Easy Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Chutney
½ cup olive oil
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs
2 pounds Pork Tenderloin
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Rub olive oil over pork tenderloin. Then sprinkle with powders, salt and pepper.
3. Put bread crumbs in large resealable bag; add tenderloin and shake to coat.
4. Place pork on a foil-lined shallow cookie sheet. Press remaining bread crumbs into pork. Put a tent of foil over the top of cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil tent and cook an additional 15 minutes until meat thermometer reads 160 degrees. Let meat rest for 10 minutes then cut into ½ slices.
5. Serve with Cranberry Chutney
Cranberry Chutney
1 12 oz. bag fresh or frozen cranberries
1 ¼ cups sugar
¾ cups water
1 large granny smith apple; peeled, cored and chopped
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
¼ tsp. ground cloves
1. In a saucepan, combine all ingredients; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until apple is tender and mixture thickens. Cool completely.
2. Store in the refrigerator.

Live it UP Plan - Part 3

Well, I did it! I got through my speaking engagement and enjoyed every minute of it, despite the massive butterflies in my stomach. The ladies of WomenSource were so great. Oh, the fun. I am honored that they asked me.

Okay, let's finish this UP. As you remember, I am talking about my Live It Up Plan for Entertaining. We've already discussed Live and It. So now onto Up.

Unleash your food inhibitions. Food, glorious food! What's a party without food? Not much of a party. I suggest you have 4 or 5 "go to" fool-proof recipes you rely on for entertaining. Try these throughout the year so you'll know they are good ones. Trying them the day of the party is not recommended. I've been there and done that.

Planning is key. Do as much ahead of time as possible. Make lists - check them twice. You technie folks probably have an app for that. Me - I have a spiral bound notebook that keeps me organized.

Well, I'm putting my feet up for all of about 5 minutes before I have to go in there and change out of these clothes and into my "Par-tay" clothes. D and I are headed down to the Cobb Galleria for the Georgia Food Industry's Annual Holiday Extravaganza (that's the exact name of this event.) I'll report on all the fun tomorrow.

Until then . . .

Live It Up Plan - Part 2

We are continuing with our Live It Up Plan for Entertaining. Yesterday was our first great word - Live. Allow me to tell you a little more about Live.

Life Impact: This is the primary reason we entertain. We want to share life with those we care about. We come together in the comfort of our homes; share some good food and conversation; basically, share life. This is truly what it is all about. Life is busy. We really just need to slow down and enjoy the relationships God has blessed us with.

Ideas for life-impact holiday gatherings:
1. Progressive Dinner. This can be done with all groups of people but the houses need to be fairly close together. We've done this on several occasions and it's really fun.
2. Tour of Homes. You know, we spend lots of time decorating our homes so why not get together with a group of friends and have your own little tour of homes? You could have a little snack at each house or at the last house, have everyone bring a dish and have dinner together.
3. Cookie Swap. Can I just tell you how much I love a good cookie swap? Our birthday group has one every year and I can hardly wait til it rolls around. We cook up a batch of our favorite cookies and take them to share. The best part - you get to come home with a platter of some of every one's great cookies. WooHoo - breakfast!
4. Cookie Baking/Decorating Party - E and I started doing this several years ago and we have so much fun. We bake and our boys eat. We bake all kinds of cookies but our favorites are the basic sugar cookies that we cut into all different shapes then decorate with icing of every color, sprinkles, etc. We also have done Gingerbread Houses together - now that is a story for another day.
5. Cocoa Party - everything served is chocolate (moment of silence).
6. Crafting Party - Grab your children, friends or family; get together several craft projects and sit around the table and have a blast. E and I did this a few weeks ago and it was great.
7. Neighborhood Open House - Open your home to your neighbors and get to know those around you.
8. Tree trimming party - If you know someone who might need some help decorating their tree, gather together to get that job done for them. Bring some snacks with you and take the party to them.
9. Gathering of Giving Back - Encourage your guests to bring something to give - canned food or toys, for example. There are lots of needs in our community. Encourage giving to some worthy organizations.
10. Gift Wrapping Party - This makes a sometimes daunting task a lot more fun. Get together with some friends along with their gifts and wrapping supplies and this has all the makings of some major fun. And think about what you will have accomplished when it's over.

Invite the Main Ingredient - the people. Whether it be family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, make a plan and get them together. The group you invite to your gathering will determine the rest of your decisions.
Just for me personally, I am not a fan of an evite. I know there are times when it is appropriate but I like to get a piece of paper for a party. Probably not the "green-est" thing to do but I really love all of the fun invitations that are out there and I love to receive them! Or you can also do something special on your home computer. Either way is fine with me.

Variety is the spice of life. Be creative! Tomorrow I'll be speaking about all kinds of fun ideas for decorating and tablescapes. I think I'll save this for a another post so that I can do it justice.

Embrace your strengths and delegate your weaknesses. This is a great time to barter with your friends and family. Say if you love to decorate but you're not so much in the cooking department, something like . . . "I'll come decorate your house if you'll make my desserts for me." It might just work!


Today is our next word - it. Not the most exciting word in the English language but let's face it, where would we be without . . . it. That was lame.

Incorporate traditions into your entertaining. Traditions are so meaningful even if it is just one thing you do every year.

Takeaways make your guests feel special. I love to give my guests just a little something for them to take home. Several ideas:
* Tie an ornament to their napkin ring or have it at each place setting.
* Give a small gift, special to them, as they are leaving. Along with a hug.
* Or my personal favorite, a food gift wrapped in a special package. Lots of options here.
* Or something theme specific. If you are hosting a cookie swap, you might do a cookie mix, tied with a cookie cutter.

Well, tomorrow our word is "UP." You'll find out what's up with that.

Oh please, put me to bed.