Food Friday on Friday!

Well, look who actually got a Food Friday on a Friday. It's a miracle of sorts. And have I ever got a good recipe for you - Caramel Apple Cupcakes. Yessirree, this was one of the birthday boy's desserts and it was yummy! Hope you like it as much as we did!
Sidenote: When I took some of these to the folks at the radio station on Monday I put them in individual clear bags*, wrote "Happy Fall" on the stick and tied it up with raffia. It made a great festive little treat!

* I keep a supply of small and large corsage bags from the local wholesale florist company for wrapping up my food goodies for giving. They are perfect for such and so much cheaper than the treat bags you buy at the party stores. There is your tip for today . . . no charge. :)

Also, this recipe says it makes 12. I used regular size muffin pans and I got 18 cupcakes.

Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 box caramel, carrot or spice cake mix (I use caramel)
Ingredients to prepare cake mix
2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped
20 caramels
3 Tbsp. milk
1 cup pecans, finely chopped
12 popsicle sticks

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Prepared cake batter according to package directions; fold in apples.
3. Fill 12 greased or paper-lined jumbo muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
4. In a saucepan, cook the caramels and milk over low heat until smooth. Spread over cupcakes. Sprinkle with pecans.
5. Insert a popsicle stick into the center of each cupcake.

Something to Think About

What's on your mind today? I'll be glad to share a few thoughts.

1. Thinking how walking this morning for an hour made a HUGE difference in my attitude and outlook. I put those earphones on and pushed play on my ipod and away I went. I have quite the eclectic mix of music on my playlist so I thought I would just live on the wild side and hit "shuffle" - I love a surprise. It was no accident that the first words I heard were "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me," courtesy of Chris Tomlin. "Blessed" belted out by Martina McBride was next. After that . . . "The Way He was Raised" by Josh Turner. By this time, I could hardly see through the tears. God must have known I needed a little relief because "Burnin' Love" by Elvis was next. That made me smile.
2. Thinking about how much I'm enjoying my time with my boy. We are getting lots of drive-time together and it is such a good reminder of how much I truly like him. It goes without saying how much I love him but I really like him. What a blessing to be able to really enjoy your children as the young people they have become.
3. Thinking about how putting on the correct clothes for this weather is such a challenge in the morning. I'm convinced that our weather right now is how it will be in heaven everyday. I just know it. But the good news is that in heaven we won't have to decide weather it's too warm for tights, boots, a jacket, or a scarf. I'm not complaining mind you. Just sayin.
4. Thinking about how much I loved the movie "Secretariat." It was so good and not an offensive word, phrase or innuendo in sight. It was uplifting and inspirational. The camera angles of the racing were way cool, the music was great and the acting superb. I love Diane Lane in this movie. And I loved that the real-life Penny Tweedy made a cameo appearance. I think that's so cool when they do that.
5. Thinking about how much I love the new television season. I don't watch many but the few a do watch have not disappointed. Here's my recap on them:
The new Dancing with the Stars I could not be more pleased with. I love Jennifer Grey if for no other reason than that she and I are the same age. If only my legs looked like hers. Wow - very impressive. The Situation even endeared himself to me eventually. But I just can't get past Mrs. Brady doing the "dirty dancing." That is just wrong on so many levels.
Castle. Love this show. It makes me laugh out loud which is really amazing considering it's one of those murder crime solvers shows.
The Biggest Loser. They're mixing it up a little on the Loser this season. I'm liking it.
Parenthood. It's a drama but extremely entertaining in a down-to-earth, not embarrassing, appropriately-handled-family-situation sort of way.
The Big Bang Theory. Honestly, I don't really understand this show but it is extremely well-written and funny.
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives or Triple D has Guy likes to calls it. Oh.My.Goodness. This may be the best show on the cable channels, definitely on the Food Network. Even better than Paula's show but don't say I said that. Guy Fieri is an interesting character to be sure and the food, oh the food.
Say Yes to the Dress. Well, duh.
6. Thinking about our three generations of Wiley men going to the Georgia game together on Saturday. I love that. And every dawg will have his day because they will officially be "collaring" the new, real life dawg - UGA VIII, Big Bad Bruce. It's a milestone moment.
7. Thinking that's it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and that I'm so thankful for the precious women I know who have triumphed over this disease. They are strong, strong women who have modeled grace all the while navigating the journey no one wants to take. They are steel magnolias of the faith and give great glory to our Father for their healing.
8. Thinking that in just a little over two months it will be Christmas! Can you believe it? I actually wrote some dates on my calendar today of events that we will be attending in December. I probably should begin planning for gift giving, parties and cooking. Every year I think that if I plan early enough I won't be so rushed and can enjoy the season. That is my goal. Hopefully I'll get closer to achieving it this year.
9. Thinking that I want to go to every fall festival in North Georgia. Too bad I can't convince my husband that this is necessary. Mule Camp (check), Gold Rush, Ellijay Apple Festival, Sorghum Festival in Blairsville, Deep Roots in Milledgeville . . . the list goes on. It just doesn't seem like fall unless you do.
10. Thinking how much I love the fact that Gainesville now has a Michaels and Ulta. Woo.Hoo. I went to Michaels this afternoon and they had exactly what I wanted. I love when I don't have to drive out of our little town to get what I need.

Well, that's all for now. I'm done thinkin' for today.

Food Wednesday

Well, I'm feeling a little Food Friday guilt right now. Like I made a commitment and then didn't stay with it. I feel so bad . . . like I've let you down. But I can't live with regrets about yesterday. Am I over-dramatizing this? I tend to be just a little over-dramatic sometimes. However, the fact remains that there are food and recipes to be discussed. So, let's talk. Okay, I guess I'll do the talking.

First, let me just tell you about something I had last Friday that was the best thing I've put in my mouth in I really don't know when. I went to Mule Camp Market on the square and could not get to the food section fast enough. You know why? Funnel Cakes. Aww, yes. When was the last time you had a funnel cake? Oh, by the way, I asked that same question to my husband when I got home and you know what he said, "I don't remember ever having a funnel cake." WHAT? Excuse me? Never, ever had a funnel cake? Oh, the injustice of it all. Anyway, it was batter cooked in hot grease covered with powdered sugar. And it could not have been better if Martha Stewart herself had cooked it. I could have licked the paper plate it was served on.

Okay, I gave you the menu for G's birthday and all the fabulous dishes that came out of my kitchen over the weekend. I was in a groove I tell you . . . a groove. I think it's the change in seasons. It makes me want to nest. Do you know what I mean by that? I want to cook, sit by the fireplace (even though it's still too warm for a fire, I just sit by the fireplace and think about having a fire) with a beverage, surrounded by my loved ones, watch movies and football, and read. Oh the joy.

So, just in case you're feeling a little of the same, let me share a few recipes. This first one is Roasted Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder and it makes you just want to kiss your momma I promise. I honestly could hardly stop eating the roasted sweet potatoes before putting them in the soup. They alone were amazing - just sweet potatoes, drizzled in olive oil, sprinkled with salt and roasted in the oven. I plan on making them again just as a side dish for supper.

The second recipe is for Harvest Salad with Red Raspberry Dressing. This dressing is easy to make and has an excellent flavor. I usually don't make salad dressings but I think I'm going to start. It was so fresh and so much better than those out of the bottle.

So gather your family around the table tonight and bless them with some good food. I think you'll be glad you did.

Roasted Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder
Ingredients:
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups finely diced celery
1 cup diced red onion
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups half and half
2 cans whole kernel corn
1 can creamed-style corn
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
1 white potato, peeled and cubed
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:
1. Preheat an oven to 425 degrees. Place the sweet potatoes into a 9x13 inch baking dish, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to coat the sweet potatoes in oil.
2. Roast until the sweet potatoes are golden and tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally as they cook so the sweet potatoes cook evenly.
3. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the celery and onion. Cook and stir until the onion has softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and dried thyme leaves; cook 1 minute more. Pour in the broth, half and half, corn, bay leaf, salt, and cubed white potato.
4. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the potato is tender, 25 to 35 minutes.
5. Once the potato is tender, remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the roasted sweet potatoes and chopped parsley. Return to a simmer and season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.


Harvest Salad with Red Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing

Ingredients for Salad:
1 bag fresh spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
2 large stalks of romaine lettuce, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
2 Bartlett pears, peeled and sliced
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chopped walnuts, roasted
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 cup bacon bits
2 tomatoes, diced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
Ingredients for Dressing:
4 Tbsp. red raspberry jam
3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2/3 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Arrange walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast in oven 5-7 minutes, just until nuts begin to brown.
2. In a large bowl, toss together spinach, romaine, pears, cranberries, walnuts, feta cheese, bacon bits, tomatoes and onion.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together jam, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper.
4. Pour dressing over the salad just before serving and toss to coat.

G's Birthday Rewind!

Our little family . . .

The Birthday Boy!

Well, we just had a great time last night celebrating G's Big Birthday! Thought I would share a few pictures. And I'll give you a run down of what was on the menu. G chose his favorites and then said, "just do whatever else you want." So, I took it upon myself to give a couple of new recipes a trial run. And oh my goodness, at the deliciousness that was found.

So here you go. I'll be sharing recipes this week so please do not dismay (if you are prone to dismay-ing).

Appetizer: Roasted Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder (new recipe - yum!)

Salad: Harvest Salad with homemade Red Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing (new recipe - awesome)

Meat: Chicken Fingers

Sides: Party Potatoes, Macaroni and Cheese, Roasted Vegetables, Green Beans

Dessert: Caramel Apple Cupcakes and Banana Cake with Peanut Butter Icing (both new recipes!)

These are the Caramel Apple Cupcakes. I wrote birthday messages on the sticks. :)

Love them.
G and his birthday cake! Let me just say these number sparklers were awesome! You can't really see them in this picture, but these are sparklers in the shapes of numbers. You light them and they probably "sparkled" for at least a minute. I highly recommend these to give your next celebration a little sparkle . . . (sorry).

It's a Big Birthday!

Happy Birthday to G!!

First of all G, you're welcome for giving birth to you so that you would be 21 today, on 10-10-10! As if I had so much to do with it. :)

My birthday message to my boy:

Dear G,
You are my precious son. I love you more than I could have ever even imagined. You are cherished by your dad and me. You have so much potential in this life. I pray that you would know the purpose God has for you and live in it.
You are smart, funny, easy to talk to and easy to get along with. Your personality is simply a delight to me. You are an amazing young man.
My challenge to you today is this: Be a man of character, integrity and truth. Be a man who prospers through service to others. Be a man who stands for right and wrong. Be a man who loves unconditionally. Be a man of honor. Be a man of God.
I love you to the moon and back,
Mom

We Did It!

Well, the Wiley family has successfully completed the 2 hour Zip Line Course at North Georgia Canopy Tours!! This was D's big adventure for his birthday. This is one of those "bucket list" things that we've talked about doing and just decided, what the heck, let's go for it! And so we did. Last Saturday, we suited up, signed our life away and wound our way through the North Georgia mountains by trail, swinging bridges (argh!) and zip lines.

And it was fun! Terrifying yes, but fun. I tend to be a little afraid of heights so even looking at this picture now makes my palms sweaty. I conquered my fears and actually enjoyed it. D had a great time and going as a family made it even better.

That's E on the zip line.

The helmets are not, I repeat, not a complementary fashion accessory.

G coming in for a landing.

That's D on the zip.

Okay, I had to include this because it is just too funny. After the zip-lining adventure, the whole family came back to the house for birthday dinner. Well, if you know anything at all, you know that our after dinner entertainment was of course, the Georgia game. While we were watching the game, D opened his birthday gifts. Well, look what D got from E and N? Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldog shirt! The same exact shirt that Mark was wearing at the Georgia game!

Not that the shirt coincidence did the Dawgs any good. I'm just sayin.

Happy Birthday, D!

Today is my precious husband's 53rd birthday. In honor of this occasion, here are 53 reasons I love and adore my husband!

1. The love we share. It has been tested, twisted and turned. But thanks to God’s great love for us, we have a love that is stronger than it’s ever been.
2. He has the most beautiful big brown eyes.
3. He gave those beautiful eyes to our daughter.
4. He has the Wiley ear.
5. He gave that handsome ear to our son.
6. He cares about his health.
7. His gray hair. He’s earned every one.
8. His favorite Bible verse is: - “Gray hair is a crown of splendor.” Proverbs 16:31. :)
9. He thinks August 16th (the day Elvis died) should be a national holiday.
10. He drives a truck.
11. His truck has Flow Masters.
12. He can sing like Donald Duck.
13. He has watched Dumb and Dumber at least 100 times.
14. He is patient . . . as Job, I tell you.
15. He gives thoughtful answers.
16. He makes me breakfast in bed.
17. He works hard.
18. He loves his job.
19. He cares about his employees.
20. He loves to travel.
21. He laughs at old reruns . . . even though he’s seen them a 100 times.
22. He watches girl movies with me.
23. He thinks Georgia Football and the SEC are the best . . . anywhere . . . ever . . . period.
24. He understands me (at least he tries.)
25. He’s a great dad.
26. He’s my soul mate.
27. He eats whatever I cook and never complains.
28. He helps me in the kitchen.
29. He loves an adventure.
30. The man can do a mean twist . . . and go all the way to the floor! I don’t know how he does it.
31. He doesn’t snore.
32. He’s a good friend.
33. He isn’t afraid to make the hard decisions for the good of our children.
34. He holds my hand in the car.
35. He sang to me on our wedding day (surprise!). It was, and still is, the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.
36. He can diagram a sentence like nobody’s business.
37. He supports my decisions.
38. He loves gadgets.
39. He cares deeply about those he loves.
40. He makes me laugh like crazy.
41. He will take me just about anywhere I want to go without complaint.
42. He is smart.
43. He is a good, honest, businessman.
44. He has integrity.
45. He told me the other day that I was only getting better with age. (melt my heart)
46. The man is never rude or obnoxious . . . never.
47. He carries all the heavy things.
48. He can fix stuff. And if there is something he can’t fix, he will call somebody to fix it . . . quickly.
49. He loves his parents.
50. He loves my mother.
51. He loves and adores our children.
52. He loves God
53. And he loves me.