Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has a great holiday!
I have many things to post...
my homemade marshmallows for starters

so stay tuned

it might be Friday or Saturday before I get to it

off with my pumpkin fudge, corn dip, homemade rosemary bread, artichoke dip, and marshmallows for
a good ol' country bonfire~

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Making Pumpkin Fudge



only requires 1/2 cup - so you might want to find something else to make that has pumpkin in it



This is what it looks like with the first 6 ingredients mixed together before it gets to 234 degrees (soft-ball stage)

This is the soft-ball stage - 234 degrees.
Remove from heat & add

The stickiest stuff in the whole wide world.

I didn't take a picture of the toasted pecans.. they aren't as exciting.
Also didn't take a picture of the pan with all these ingredients post soft-ball stage.
It's hard work, and you have to move fast.
I recommend adding EVERYTHING - marshmallow cream, white chocolate chips, pecans, and vanilla all at once.. then, stir stir stir with a heavy wooden spoon until you can't stir anymore.

CLICK HERE for the actual recipe and a picture of the end result.

Oatmeal Scotchies- Finally!


Making cookies
The base of all "Nestle" Tollhouse recipes...
sugar, butter, eggs
(I always use REAL unsalted butter)

Nestle Tollhouse Butterscotch Morsels
(Ok, is it just me, or is "morsels" just a weird word? I feel very uncomfortable typing it let alone saying it out loud.)
 Nestle is the best! Do not attempt with imitators!


Yes, one is missing!
 These are very crumbly. The one in the middle crumbled, and I felt it was my responsibility to "taste test" it.

These are very delicious cookies. I've been making them for YEARS.  Just taking them off the pan to cool takes me to a very "happy" place. They are my son's fav-O-rite! Knowing how happy they make him, makes me feel like the bestest mom in the whole wide world.  So much, I almost can't wait for him to get off work today. I thought I'd take them to him at work, but then he'd have to share.. and I don't think he'll want to. He's been only been asking me to bake cookies for a couple months now.  Finally!

Click the title of this blog post or click here for the complete recipe.

Ree Drummond - The Pioneer Woman

Ree Drummond is going to be in Dallas on Tuesday, 12/1 @ Borders off Preston/Royal promoting her new cookbook.

If you haven't checked out her blog before, click here.  If you have plenty of time on your hands, and you are looking for something to read, check out her Love Story on how she met her Marlboro Man.  I promise you, make sure you have the time, because once you start reading it, YOU WILL NOT WANT TO STOP!
 
For the book tour information, click here!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Thanksgiving 2009 Countdown - 3 Days

I dream of an elegant Thanksgiving - with a glamourous table"scape" ...


like this one from Pottery Barn..

but alas.. that's not how we roll in my family

Ours is a potluck, and because there are so many people, there are a lot of small tables (that do not match) - more like "country" chic, and we typically eat with paper goods similar to these below...




It's still fun and festive, just a little bit "rustic".. you might say.
For those of you who are new to my blog, click here to see how my son and I spend our Thanksgiving festivities.  Or as Jeff Foxworthy might say...

"You might be a REDNECK, if you use a John Deere tractor to get your cooked turkeys out of the oven ground.

Friday, November 20, 2009

This Week's Funky Flowers


Great FALL colors..
not loving the green/white glass vase
it's more of a spring/summer vibe

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

10 Tips for New Bloggers by Southern Hospitality

I love finding new blogs.  There are so many.  I've been bloggin now for a little over a year. I'm amazed at how easy it is to do "some" things with your blog, like change your background. There are so many cute/adorable free templates out there in the blogosphere.  There is so much to learn on blogging, and I'm hungry for information but overwhelmed at all the blog supported sites available. 
Like for example, I really want comments and really want "followers".  I had an "AHA" moment the other day as I was blog stalking that "I" do not leave comments and haven't been following blogs myself. So, I have become a "follower" so that I might be come a leader.. ha -ha -

Anyway, for those of you who are just starting out and need some tips, click here. 

Bacon

A love/hate relationship.

I love bacon... just plain-o fried bacon.. who doesn't?

but ...

I do not like bacon on my hamburger or chicken sandwich

but...

I do LOVE BLT's.

I do not like "fake" bacon.. like bacon bits.

but...

I do like fresh bacon crumbled on a salad

Homemade Gourmet makes a BLT dip... love it...
They also make a Jalapeno Bacon Cheddar dip... love it...

but...
I do NOT like their Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Mix (blech)

I made it last night.. and was so proud of myself. 
I put my own twist to it...
I added a fresh chopped red onion to the mix
I mixed ketchup and mustard together.. and poured it on top
then covered with cheddar cheese...

then I took a bite..

and all I tasted was fake bacon bits.
blech blech blech
hence, the love/hate relationship
Sorry Bacon Lovers...

I know you are out there.
There is even a website for you bacon lovers, click here to go to Bacon Today's website.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

King Arthur Flour


I discovered this catalog about 8 years ago.  I just bought King Arthur Flour for the first time.  I got it at Walmart.  I used it for the "No Knead Bread", and I could see the difference from regular flour the moment I opened the package. 

I never in a 1000 years dreamed that I'd get so excited over "flour".

Monday, November 16, 2009

My Weekend Project - No Knead Bread

If you google "Jim Lahey's No Knead Bread", you'll find several blogs on this fabulous-o bread.

I used the recipe from the "steamy kitchen" blog - but had the instructions from the original NY Times article.





Ingredients:

3 cups bread flour
1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
3/4 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups warm water



I mixed the ingredients together on Saturday @ noon. It took like 5 minutes. I used a glass bowl.. and put plastic wrap over the bowl and left it on the counter overnight.


This is what it looked like Sunday @ Noon. I let it set until about 4pm.


Then, I followed the directions from the NY Times recipe. I floured the counter, and folded it over twice, then wrapped it in plastic (not shown).  After 15 minutes, I wrapped the dough in cornmeal on cotton towels - and let it set for 2 hours.  After the bread set for a hour and a half, I preheated the oven to 450 degrees and placed the empty cast iron pot in the oven for 30 minutes.


I placed the dough in the hot cast iron pot ( this is a 5 gallon Paula Deen cast iron pot).


After 45 minutes (30 minutes with the lid on) and about 15 minutes with the lid off, the bread is done.
I was amazed that it kept "crackling" while it was cooling on the rack. It was amazing.
I wasn't sure how long you were supposed to let it cool, so I almost immediately had to slice into it.
The outside was crunchy and firm, but the inside was warm and moist.
The best homemade bread - taste like the artisan breads I buy at the specialty markets
So easy to make - a 4 year old could do it!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

New Moon Countdown = 4 Days



I just bought these - you can get them with Bella, Edward or Jacob's face on the box. Of course, I chose "EC"
I'm so excited.. I will be going to see the New Moon at Midnight "01" on Friday, 11/20.

Check out this blog - she is an "official" Twilight stalker - and has identified all blogs "Twilight" ...

http://jennykate77.blogspot.com/

Becoming More Than Just a Good Bible Study Girl

We kicked off our bible study on Saturday. This is our 7th book over the last 5 years. I am really excited about this book. It was just r...